Crucifix classroom row breaks out

4th December 2009

A group of high-school students in Wroclaw have stirred passions in Poland by starting a campaign to have crosses removed from their classrooms.

The pupils have been gathering names on a petition and sent letters to local education authorities in an effort to have the crosses consigned to cupboards.

A common sight in Polish schools, crucifixes reflect the strong historical ties in Poland between nation and church, and the fact that the overwhelming majority of Poles still consider themselves Catholic.

“Placing religious symbols in public institutions is perceived as a sign of favouritism for a particular school of philosophy,” the activists wrote in a letter to their school dire ...