The Guardian – For more than 80 years, a crucifix has overseen the civic business of Canada’s second-largest city from its perch above Montreal’s city council chambers.
Next month, it will come down for good as the the centuries-old building prepares for renovation – and city councilors have decided that it will not be returned.
The crucifix’s removal comes as Quebec struggles to balance its Catholic past with a decidedly secular present day – and in the midst of a debate in the province over the place of religious symbols such as the hijab in public.
