Posted on 05/09/2007 6:35:16 AM PDT by NYer
Milan - Milan's leading obstetric hospital was replacing its crucifixes with images of the Virgin Mary to avoid offending a growing number of Muslim patients, reports said Wednesday.
'Our wards have become multiethnic. We want to respect all religions and avoid any form of discrimination. That is why we have decided to replace the crucifix with the image of the Madonna, which is also appreciated by Muslim women,' daily La Repubblica quoted Mangiagalli's medical director, Basilio Tiso, as saying Wednesday.
Some 7,000 women give birth at the Mangiagalli each year. Of these, about 30 per cent are foreign immigrants, many of whom are not Catholic.
The head of Milan's Viale Jenner Islamic centre, Abdelhamid Shaari, welcomed the move, saying Mary was a figure that was also revered by Muslims.
'This is certainly a sign of respect for our religion that we greatly appreciate. But a white wall would have been even better. Italy is a secular state and children are angels in any religion,' Shaari told La Repubblica.
The representation of the cross on which Jesus died has become the subject of a heated debate in Italy in recent years as Muslim groups and non-Christians seek its removal from the walls of public buildings.
Although church and state are officially separated in Italy, a 1923 regulation issued during Benito Mussolini's Fascist rule and never repealed states that a symbol of the crucifix should hang in every classroom and courtroom in the country.
Officials at the Mangiagalli hospital plan to replace all crucifixes within the next few months. However, patients will still be able to have a crucifix hanging in their room if they ask for one.
Seems like Oriana Fallaci’s cicadas are still crawling out in Italy to make their lovely music.
The definition of irony: how extremist Islam and Shariah in Europe are being midwifed into birth by smug and self-satisfied modern atheists who are too foolish to see their own impending demise.
Submitting to the religion that believes Jesus existed and was holy but denies His divinity, His death. amd His resurrection is to deny Jesus.
Why bow to the antiChrist’s “religion”? It leads the faithful astray and has them kill in the name of a warlord.
You would be hung before the crucifix?
Well before 9-11 a nurse I know in Houston told me she was instructed not to look at muslim men in the eye when they visit the hospital.
Well, instead of removing the cross, set up next to it the Star of David for Jews, a Cow for Hindus;, Prayers beads for Buddhists, and a Bloody Sword for Muslims.
yes,
but its not about that. they want christians to leave ‘their’ country...
sheeeesh....COME ON ITALY
The folks who like democracy actually don't.
Well, guees what, they are also offended by the fact that all of Spain is not mohammedan, so just save some time and convert now. It’s where you and the rest of Europe are headed anyway.
What dialect? My Mother’s Calabraise cannot be understood in Milan.
Spain = Italy. Duh!
I believe that the woman pictured in that verse is Israel.
Islam is an anti-Christian religion.
catholic theology takes it as being mary. you see it in much of the artwork; mary stand on the moon with a crown of 12 stars. Even the EU flag is based on the crown of Mary - 12 gold stars. (the only reference to christianity in the EU, thanks to a good ole catholic monarchist Otto von Hapsburg)
“She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. 5 Her child was caught up to God and his throne. “ rev. 12:5
then pray burlesconi gets elected since he said last year he wants italy to be catholic and for italians
It is a Catholic hospital. As such, it represents a means of evangelization and outreach towards those whom it treats. There should be no obnoxious, "in your face" proselytization towards those of other faiths whom it holds captive due to illness, so to speak, but at the same time, the Catholic character of the hospital should be there and on display for all to see and experience. From the care and behavior of the staff to the visible symbols of the Catholic faith which adorn it.
Nobody is obligated to use a Catholic hospital so there is no need to apologize for being Catholic.
Great point.
Huh? What significance does Mary have to Islam? I thought Catholic reverence for Mary was why the Moozies consider them polytheists.
They’re kidding right?
Well... good enough for the kaaba... /s
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.