World | Philippines
Voluntary crucifixions mark Good Friday in the Philippines
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.
- Agencies
- Published: 15:03 March 21, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Male devotees flagellate themselves to atone for their sins as they liken the sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
Cutud: Filipinos including a 15-year-old were nailed to crosses and scores more whipped their backs into a bloody pulp on Friday in a gory ritual to mark the death of Jesus Christ.
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. Eight went through the process. Eleven
backed out, organisers said.
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.
Over 80 percent 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.
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