Saturday, March 22, 2008
A 15-year-old boy has been crucified in the Philipines today in a gory ritual to mark the death of Jesus Christ.
Dozens of Filipinos, including the boy and an 18-year-old girl, were nailed to crosses and scores more whipped their backs into a bloody pulp as the country's devout Roman Catholics marked Good Friday.
The voluntary crucifixions in the northern Philippines were the most extreme displays of religious devotion in this mainly Catholic country, where millions are praying and fasting ahead of the Easter weekend.
In the small village of Cutud, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, men cried out as nails the size of pencils were driven into their hands and feet before they were hoisted up in the scorching heat. Nineteen were to go through the process.
But government health and safety officials were keeping their eye on proceedings, after health minister Francisco Duque told those planning to be crucified to ensure they have a tetanus jab and use sterilised nails.
Never mind the clear dangers to your health of crucifixion, so long as the danger of infection is safely reduced.
Thousands watched the spectacle in Cutud, which has grown from a village production started in 1962 to a media and tourist attraction copied in other parts of the country.
For hours before the crucifixions lines of men, hooded and half naked, flayed their backs with bamboo whips and paddles tipped with broken glass. Blood splattered over the road.
The atmosphere was festive, with hawkers selling beer, ice-cream and souvenir whips. VIPs watched from a specially elevated "viewing platform".
The country's dominant Catholic Church disapproves of the crucifixions and flagellations as a misrepresentation of the faith.
"The spiritual dimension is totally lost, and it's entered into only because of some shows, some manifestations for other people to be satisfied with or to see," said Bishop Deogracias Iniguez.
"Many of these penitents, those who are practicing these physical afflictions have a meagre, have a shallow understanding of these practices."
Some foreigners have previously been crucified including a Belgian nun and a Japanese man, who later allowed footage of his ordeal to be used in a pornographic film. No one has ever died during the rituals.
Over 80 per cent of the Philippines' estimated 90 million population are Catholic and across the archipelago this weekend will be a time for church ritual, family and the beach.
Filipinos infuse their Catholic faith with local superstitions and some people avoid taking a shower or doing laundry after 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Good Friday - the time Chrst was believed to have died - for fear of bad luck.
9 Gorgeous People Said --:
EEkkkksssssssssssssssssssssss and I thought eating lamb (which is supposed to represent Jesus) today was bad enough.
OMG is that for real?????? I'm sure if the Pope hears this he won't be pleased!
For me this crap. If they want to repent their sins, they should just do good and become a better person in all.
pure crap! what's the point in nailing themselves to the cross, feeling sorry for their sins, promising to repent and be the christians that they are when they're only going to drink themselves silly with their buddies the next day or committing other vices...then repeat the same process all over again next year?
I'm very sorry, but I think I just got sick to my stomach. Selling goodies for the show? Now, that just seems very wrong, and I'm not even religious.
Sher, I read your entry on lamb cuisine. :) It was a pretty interesting read. I also left a comment on "dinuguan" there as well.
Ambrosiality, I believe the Pope knows about this. The Church has actually prohibited this practice here in our country and in fact, frowns at this practice. It's the people. And unless there is a law prohibiting those people from actually nailing themselves on the cross, I doubt if the practice would stop soon. YOu'd cringe if you see a video of this.
Pinayjade, I think it's more than repentance. Most of them believes that they would get an answered prayer in exchange for their sufferings. Curiously, they have testified to miracles happening to them after the crucifixion.
Jinx, I had the same thought. I was watching an interview on this man and I was snorting through it. But I doubt if the "drinking binges" would apply to the women who also get themselves nailed on the cross yearly.
Tamera,
I think this has become a tourist destination or attraction every Holy Week. Thousands of people would flock on that hill and watch at least 24 people being nailed to the cross. Not a pretty sight. But men have always been attracted to the unusual.
A very interesting and thought provoking post.
The sad side of mankind rears it's ugly head once more
women have mahjong to fall back on after their "crucifixion." hehehe
WOW! I just don't understand how some people's views get so extremely distorted. Crazy, crazy stuff. Thanks for bringing to light this horrible, but intriguing practice that I had no idea existed!
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