EU Capital Bans Crucifixes from City Hall

Warsaw City Hall has issued a directive prohibiting civil servants from displaying religious symbols, including crucifixes, within the premises, leading to criticism from conservative groups. As reported by the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper, officials will no longer be allowed to hang crosses or crucifixes on walls or keep them on their desks.

However, employees will still be permitted to wear crosses while on duty. These regulations are part of a broader effort to address discrimination, which includes the use of gender-neutral language, respecting preferred pronouns, and ensuring equal treatment for same-sex couples. Monika Beuth, the spokesperson for City Hall, highlighted that Warsaw is the first city in Poland to adopt such measures.

Nevertheless, some politicians and religious organizations argue that these regulations are unsuitable for a predominantly Catholic country. Szymon Holownia, the speaker of the Polish parliament, expressed his belief that the decision is unnecessary, emphasizing that while he personally does not advocate for crosses in public offices, he does not see the need for a contentious debate on their removal from walls.

In response, conservative member of parliament Sebastian Kaleta intends to seek legal scrutiny from the prosecutor’s office to determine if the city’s policies violate any laws.

Additionally, the Catholic activist group Ordo Iuris has encouraged individuals to file complaints with the city hall.

Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski has come forward to defend the new regulations and criticize the media’s exaggerated coverage of the issue. He emphasized that these guidelines were implemented to create an inclusive environment and maintain Poland’s secularism.

Trzaskowski stated that everyone, including civil servants and clerks, has the right to their own faith or lack thereof. However, he emphasized that individuals visiting government offices should feel that they are in a neutral space.

The mayor made it clear that the intention is not to wage a battle against any religion in Warsaw. During a news conference, Trzaskowski clarified that the regulations would not be applicable to hospitals, schools, and social welfare centers.

He also specified that while religious ceremonies are prohibited in government buildings, traditional historical celebrations, such as the commemoration of the 1944 uprising of Warsaw citizens against the Nazi occupation during World War II, would not be affected by these guidelines.