In Ireland
over the last few years hospitals and other public places have been removing
Christian symbols from view in the name of ‘not causing offence’. This has even
extended to not displaying cribs at Christmas. Cromwell would have been proud
of these secular Cromwellians.

On Friday, the European Court of Justice momentously
overturned a previous ruling that Italy
was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights by displaying
crucifixes on the walls of State classrooms.

It deemed that this breached the religious freedom rights of
a Finnish atheist who did not want her children exposed to the Cross.

Italy
was outraged. It deemed the decision an attack on its national identity and its
right to govern its own affairs. Twenty other countries voiced similar outrage
and 10 joined Italy
in appealing the decision.

In overturning its own decision, the ECHR has said that
signatories to the Convention on Human Rights are not in breach of the
Convention by displaying the crucifix on the walls of State classrooms.

It ruled that this cannot be considered indoctrination and
that countries were allowed to give such recognition to the majority religion
of the State and to their national and cultural heritage, meaning in the case
of a country like Italy (or Ireland), Christianity.

So what this does mean for the secular Cromwellians who
forbid the display of cribs in places like hospitals? It means they cannot cite
the European Convention in their favour. It means they cannot pretend anyone’s
human rights are being breached when they walk into a hospital and find a crib
in the lobby.

This decision needs to be made known as far and wide as
possible and the fight-back against these secular killjoys should begin,
ideally next Christmas when they try once again to forbid a few more cribs from
being displayed.