In a bloody ritual to sympathize with the death of Jesus, several Catholics were nailed to the cross for the first time on Good Friday in the Philippines at the start of the corona pandemic. Thousands of spectators gathered in a field on the outskirts of the city of San Fernando to watch the men flog themselves.
For the first time since the Corona pandemic, crucifixions and other forms of self-flagellation took place in the Philippines on Good Friday, with which believers want to commemorate the suffering and death of Christ. Dozens of barefoot and hooded men beat their backs with whips on bamboo sticks until they bled.
Thousands of spectators arrived
Thousands took part in processions and masses in crowded churches. The Good Friday rituals are traditionally the highlight of Easter Week celebrations in the predominantly Catholic Southeast Asian country. The main site of the self-crucifixions was the village of San Pedro Cutud in the province of Pampanga, 60 kilometers north of the capital Manila.
“We’re All Happy”
The leading role in the Passion Play was played by 62-year-old Ruben Enaje, grandfather of seven grandchildren. He carried a wooden cross weighing 37 kilograms almost two kilometers to a hill where the crucifixions took place. “We are all happy to be able to resume our tradition,” he told the German news agency.
Participants pray for people in Ukraine
The exercise that the participants want to do to repent is important “to show our strong faith, and this year we should be especially grateful because we have overcome so many difficulties since the pandemic,” he stressed. He prays not only for his family, but also for an end to the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. “It breaks my heart to see crying children in Ukraine,” he said. “No one will win this war, everyone will lose.”
Church condemns bloody tradition
The Catholic Church does not encourage such extreme acts of faith and has repeatedly condemned self-crucifixions in the Philippines. “We have accepted that some people disagree with our traditions,” Enaje said. “Please just respect what we do.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
