Posted on 11/26/2009 8:12:30 AM PST by GonzoII
Moscow, November 26, Interfax - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has supported Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's opposition to the idea of banning crucifixes from Italian public schools.
"Italy and other European countries' Christian heritage must not be a subject of scrutiny at European rights agencies," Patriarch Kirill said in a letter to Berlusconi, posted on the Moscow Patriarchate's official website.
Patriarch Kirill was commenting on a ruling, passed by the European Court of Human Rights on November 3, on a lawsuit, filed by an Italian mother, who claimed that crucifixes at public schools is a violation of human rights.
Snip...
The Russian Orthodox Church in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church will inform the world and European communities of its "categorical rejection of such judgments and stimulate the condemnation of the Europeans Court of Human Rights' practices in various domains," Patriarch Kirill said.
(Excerpt) Read more at interfax-religion.com ...
Good...its nice to see unity amongst the various Churches. There seems to be a growing realization of the brotherhood amongst the sects. Hang together or hang separately, etc etc.
Oh well, this is good to see.
LOL! LOL! Russia is not in the EU and in Russia the separation of Church and state is now a gray zone. On the other hand, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Poland (four out of 27 members) are bound by the EU constitution to which they agreed voluntarily. They also have the option of leaving the Union over crosses in public schools and join Russia. Do you think that's realistic?
| Letter of the Most Holy Patriarch Kirill in support of the position of the Government of Italy regarding the decision of the European court to band Christian symbols in schools 11/26/2009 Your Excellence! The decision of the European court of human rights on the case of Lautsi vs. Italy of Nobvember 3, 2009, in which it is asserted that the presence of crucifixes in state schools of Italy violates human rights, caused alarm in the Russian Orthodox Church. The Christian heritage of Italy and other countries of Europe must not become subject under jurisdiction of the European institutions that support human rights. Christian religious symbols that are present in the public space of Europe -- is a part of pan-european identity without which the past, the present and the future of this continent are unthinkable. The anti-religious ideology must not be established under the guise of safeguarding the secular character of the state, the ideology that in a self-evident way violates the peace of society as it discriminates against the religious majority on Europe, the Christians. We proclaim our complete and without reservation support of the intention of the Government of Italy to appeal this decision in the Grand Palate of the Euriopean Court. The European democracy must not facilitate christianophobia and liken itself to the militant atheist regimes of the past. The Russian Orthodox Church intends, in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church, to bring to the attention of the international and European communities its categorical rejection of similar decisions, and also to stimulate a discussion of the practice of the European court on human rights in various podia. With respect +Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. |
[Translation mine. A-x.]
K77, Russia was a "protectress" of her own interests, as any normal state is. With all due respect to Patriarch Kirill, the issue of crucifixes in schools is not a matter of European cultural heritage but of religion.
Arguing as he does, as well as others who think the same, that this is a "cultural" issue is rather naïve, and not very convincing.
The plain truth is: crucifixes or any other religious symbols have no business in public schools where the state and church are separate.
I disagree. I have the greatest respect for the MP, but on this one he is wrong. He should stay out of it.
That has certainly been a valid observation until this came up. Yet, out of 16 sui juris Orthodox Churches, only the Church of Greece and Russia are making a spectacle of themselves, each for her own reasons.
The worst thing is utter hypocrisy which these silly protests reveal, making their arguments even more ridiculous. In Italy, as well as Greece or Russia (I don't have statistics about Poland or Cyprus), regular church attendance is about 5-6% of the officially baptized. This is pretty much even throughout Europe.
Italians live a completely secular life. That is obvious at their beaches, on their television, fashion, movies, mannerisms, and even their own prime minister (a conservative!) who is married and who just can't stay out of scandals involving prostitutes!
Yet, for some reason crucifixes in public schools are an absolute "cultural" must! This is the same type of hypocrisy one finds with married Mafiosos, who dutifully receive communion, wear crucifixes around their necks, and routinely have girlfriends on the side, while going about their "business" as usual!
This is like a Church prelate writing to Hugh Hefner on the evils of pornography! The MP made a complete idiot of himself with this uncalled for unOrthodox "activism."
Russians to Italians. Go figure. Meanwhile, in America....
So what. Ever heard of the "Bully Pulpit"?
No.
Thanks GonzoII. The Moscow Patriarch does to some extent have that status in Russia, but in western Europe definitely not. In fact, no religious leader in Europe can really claim ‘bully pulpit.’ Eastern hierarchs usually lead in humility (like the late Serbian Patriarch Pavle). But, the Russian Church is trying to assert herself in the role of the somewhat imaginery if not Quixotic “Third Rome.”
I doubt that modern day Russia is terribly Christian — it is getting there no doubt, but not quite.
Oh, and of course, that statements should not detract from my gratitude to the Patriarch for his statements.
Oh, and of course, that statements should not detract from my gratitude to the Patriarch for his statements and support
As I can tell, the MP, EP and Pope are the only sane voices (as far as "higher ups" are concerned) countering these pathetic leaders we have in Western Civilization at present. I know some are skeptical of these types of statements from religious leaders yet are we sure they are not inspired by the Holy Spirit, without them who would be left.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.