Brutal ritual in the Philippines: believers are nailed to the cross on Easter itself

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In an extreme act of faith, more than a dozen people had themselves nailed to a cross in the Philippines on Good Friday. With the ritual and other self-flagellation, Catholics in the Southeast Asian island nation traditionally commemorate the suffering and death of Christ. Many other participants hit their backs with whips until it became bloody. Thousands took part in processions and masses in crowded churches. The Good Friday rituals are traditionally the highlight of Easter celebrations in the predominantly Catholic country.

The main site of self-crucifixions is the village of San Pedro Cutud in Pampanga province, about 60 kilometers north of the capital Manila. Thousands of spectators came to watch as several men had themselves nailed to a cross and remained there for several minutes. But other villages also held such rituals in extreme heat.

“Nothing is impossible with God”

The leading role in the Passion Play was once again taken on by 63-year-old Ruben Enaje – for the 35th time. He will continue the tradition as long as he is physically able to do so, the seven-time grandfather told the German news agency on the telephone beforehand. He carried a 37 kilogram wooden cross almost two kilometers to a hill where the crucifixions took place.

In addition to praying for his family, he also asked for protection for the Philippines, its government and its people, especially in light of the conflict with China over overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea. “China may be bigger than us, but we have the Lord on our side,” he said. “Nothing is impossible with God.”

The Church does not stop cruel practices

In the nearby village of Santa Lucia, 15-year-old Julius Cortez took part in the rituals for the first time – and asked for blessings for his mother, who is suffering from breast cancer. The teenager beat him bloodily on the back with a whip fitted with bamboo sticks, while his 19-year-old brother carried a wooden cross. “You’re doing this for me,” her mother said. “I’m worried about them, but they insisted.”

The Catholic Church does not encourage such extreme acts of faith, but does little to stop the practice in the Philippines. “We ask for respect because our tradition does not harm anyone,” Enaje said. Easter week is the most important religious festival in the Philippines. (SDA)

Source: Blick