Crucifix in parliament ‘is accepted’

A POLISH court has rejected a motion calling for the removal of a crucifix from parliament’s debating chamber in a case ­pitting Poland’s traditional Catholicism against a younger generation who think the Church’s influence is too strong.

On Monday, Warsaw’s district court argued that, since there had been no objections in the past to the cross, it was accepted by most Poles and did not violate their rights. It was placed in the chamber one night by two conservative politicians in 1997.

The court also chastised the anti-clerical Palikot’s Movement party, which brought the court case, accusing it of calling for tolerance yet failing to show acceptance of religious symbols.

The party said it would appeal the decision.