CHRISTIANS should wear a cross on their clothes every day as "a symbol of their beliefs", according to the head of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

In his Easter Sunday homily, Cardinal Keith O'Brien will call on Christians to make the cross "more prominent in their lives".

Speaking at Edinburgh's St Mary's Cathedral tomorrow, he will tell worshippers to "wear proudly a symbol of the cross of Christ on their garments each and every day of their lives".

He will say: "I know that many of you do wear such a cross of Christ, not in any ostentatious way, not in a way that might harm you at your work or recreation, but a simple indication that you value the role of Jesus Christ in the history of the world, that you are trying to live by Christ's standards in your own daily life."

The appeal comes as two women who say they were discriminated against when their employers barred them from wearing the symbol fight to get their cases heard at the European Court of Human Rights.

Nadia Eweida, 59, of Twickenham, south-west London, was suspended by British Airways for breaching BA's uniform code in 2006.

Shirley Chaplin, 56, from Exeter, was barred from working on wards by Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust after refusing to hide the cross she wore on a necklace chain.

Tomorrow, Cardinal O'Brien will quote Pope Benedict XVI, who said Christians "need to be free to act in accordance with their own principles".

He will say: "Displaying the Sign of the Cross, the cross of Christ should not be a problem for others – but rather they should see in that sign an indication of our own desire to love and to serve all peoples in imitation of that love and service of Jesus Christ.

"Pope Benedict XVI stood in Westminster Hall in London addressing a vast audience of politicians, diplomats, academics and business leaders.

"There he clearly stated that 'Religion is not a problem for legislators to solve, but a vital contributor to the national conversation. In this light, I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance'."

The Cardinal will also say: "I hope that increasing numbers of Christians adopt the practice of wearing a cross in a simple and discreet way as a symbol of their beliefs.

"Easter provides the ideal time to remind ourselves of the centrality of the cross in our Christian faith.

"A simple lapel cross pin costs around £1. Since this is less than a chocolate Easter egg, I hope many people will consider giving some as gifts and wearing them with pride."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Wearing a religious symbol is entirely a matter for individual members of staff. We have no policy as an employer."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Parliament said: "The Scottish Parliament does not have a specific policy for staff displaying religious symbols in their work attire."

NHS Scotland advises health boards to conduct a full risk assessment to ensure their local dress code policy "is appropriate for different categories of staff and should look to support staff in complying with both the needs of the service and any religious or cultural requirements".