16 Filipinos are willingly crucified

MANILA – Defying a call by the Philippine Catholic hierarchy to refrain from self flagellation and bloody crucifixion, at least 16 Filipino devotees were nailed to crosses in northern Luzon to observe Good Friday watched by thousands of curious local folks and foreign tourists.

The devotees braved the scorching sun as they whipped themselves before they were nailed to crosses with the strong belief that this would cleanse their sins and cure their diseases through miracles.

For several minutes, the devotees were nailed to crosses before they were taken down by their friends or relatives accompanying them.

The rituals were held in San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga province some 95 kilometers north of Manila, although other cities and towns across the Philippines also conducted similar religious ceremonies on Good Friday.

It is during Holy Week that millions of Filipino Catholics troop to churches and shrines go to confession and at the same time reflect the Passion of Christ.

Roman Catholics in the Philippines observe with fervor Easter Sunday to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead which is dubbed as the greatest event in the Catholic Church.

Earlier, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the faithful to participate in activities of churches and parishes during the Holy Week.

CBCP president Archbishop Jose Palma discouraged devotees from doing penance by nailing themselves to the cross or physical infliction on their bodies.

He said that the observance of Lent should make the faithful aware and learn to accept the Lord in their lives and help spread His love.