The decision taken by the Bavarian government led by Markus Söder (CSU) last Tuesday to have a crucifix displayed in all regional buildings generates “division, unrest and conflict”. “If the cross is seen only as a cultural symbol, then we do not understand” such decision; the cross “is a sign of protest against violence, injustice, sin and death, not a sign against other people”. This is what Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and President of the German Bishops, said in an interview with the Süddeutschen Zeitung (SZ) yesterday, in which he strongly condemned the decision. Several people within the Catholic and Evangelical communities have spoken out against what has been defined as a “populist, electoral campaign initiative”. Bavaria will go to the polls in six months. “What does it mean to live in a Christian land?” – this is the question we should ask ourselves, according to Card. Marx, to become more open to all. Even the Archbishop of Bamberg, Mgr. Ludwig Schick, had spoken out on the issue a few days earlier: “The cross is not a sign of identity for a region or a State”, but an invitation to learn how to live in solidarity and love. In announcing the news of the decision, Mr Söder had said instead: “It is a clear recognition of our Bavarian identity and Christian values”. Mr Söder’s instruction “could give the impression that the Christian religion has made its return”, the SZ reports today. “Such impression is wrong. There is no such revival. There is only the return of political manipulation”.