Devotees Nailed to Cross in Philippines
An estimated seven Filipino “devotees” were nailed to crosses during the annual Good Friday re-enactments of Jesus Christ’s final hours. This ritual is opposed by religious leaders in the Philippines but has become one of the country’s most attended “summer attractions” which was attended by approximately 15,000 people.Â
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The Roman Catholic devotees were crucified in batches, their palms and feet attached to crosses with 10-centimetre nails soaked in alcohol to prevent infection, to repent sins, pray for a sick relative or fulfil a vow, organizers said. Seven devotees underwent the ritual and a handful more were planning to do so later Friday, organizers said.
Ruben Enaje, 45, a commercial sign maker, was nailed to the cross for the 20th time. Enaje has said it is his way of thanking God for miraculously surviving a fall from a building when he was a construction worker.
 A British national, Dominic Diamond, had planned on being nailed to the cross in,  ”hoping to find his lost faith in God.”  He had prayed to God to be healed of his insomnia which has persisted after prayer.”So I thought this was such a simple thing to ask and he could not do it,” Diamond added, explaining his waning faith. When he heard about the crucifixions in San Pedro Cutud, he said realized “these people were the opposite thing, people who were so sure in their faiths.” “But after carrying his cross from the village centre, he backed out when it came time for the nails to go into his flesh, weeping as he pressed his head to the cross and prayed.”
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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines warned that “the traditions of flagellation and crucifixion during Holy Week trace their roots to animism and are not approved by the church.”
Photo Credit – travelphotographer
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The popular piety of the Third World is a real stumbing block to many Catholics of the non-Third World no matter where they live. We have enough to do resisting the sirens of secularism and materialism without having to deal with the popular piety some might like having our religion degenerate into. We non Third Worlders hear all the time that the Catholics of the Third World are our future and our hope as Catholics. God help us! Do Third World bishps and priests have the courage to vigorously denounce these superstitions and bizarre practices or will they content themselves with merely saying that they are not approved?
Comment by Caroline — April 15, 2006 @ 3:49 PM
I am not sure what else the bishops could do other than to denounce the practice.
Comment by shelray — April 16, 2006 @ 8:01 PM
The best the Church can do is to say that these practices are not encouraged…not something for the weak of heart. All in all, the Church cannot deny the faith that animates these practices, even as they denounce the acts.
Comment by JonathanR. — April 18, 2006 @ 12:54 PM