Overview

• On July 8 the Bavarian Administrative Court ruled the 1.5-meter wooden crucifix at Wolnzach Gymnasium must be removed after finding its compulsory display infringed students’ constitutionally guaranteed negative freedom of religion.
• The court declined to admit a revision, noting that parties can still file a complaint with the Federal Administrative Court.
• The decision clarified that the 2018 Kreuzerlass requiring crosses in state buildings does not extend to gymnasiums under Bavarian education law.
• Education Minister Anna Stolz said her ministry will scrutinize the court’s reasoning and assess case-specific consequences.
• CSU parliamentary leader Klaus Holetschek lamented the verdict, stressing that the cross remains central to Bavarian cultural identity.