Politicians Are Also Puzzled

Why Crosses Are Disappearing from Classrooms

In Wels, 117 crosses, coats of arms, and pictures in classrooms had to be replaced. In Linz, however, the situation was quite different.(Bild: P. Huber)

In Wels, 507 crosses, coats of arms, and pictures had to be replaced in schools. In Linz, however, the situation was quite different.(Bild: stock.adobe.com null)

Now another 50 school crosses have gone missing. During the summer break, Wels Mayor Andreas Rabl of the Freedom Party had the situation regarding the legally required school crosses checked: In 117 of the 238 classrooms, there were none. New ones were hung up. But the disappearance continues. 

“We’re puzzling over this ourselves. I don’t think it’s just the students’ fault,” says Rabl. Especially since—as the mayor adds—a teacher told him to his face, “that she doesn’t want a cross hanging in her classroom.”