Bishops slam Good Friday crucifixions

MANILA, Philippines—If you plan to get nailed to the cross during the Holy Week for tourism’s sake, forget it.

Several bishops Sunday sent this stern advice to penitents and flagellants who literally copy the passion of Christ during the last few days of the 40-day Lenten season observed by Catholics.

This year’s Holy Week begins on April 17, Palm Sunday, and ends on April 24, Easter Sunday, when Catholics celebrate Christ’s resurrection.

“The body is sacred to be mistreated,” Infanta Bishop Rolando Tirona said over Church-run Radio Veritas Sunday.

He said it was “OK” to carry the cross as an act of penitence, but to be nailed to it was an act reserved only to Jesus.

Some Catholics practice self-flagellation and crucifixion on Good Friday as an act of faith and as atonement for their sins.

Yearly, thousands of tourists are drawn to towns where penitents reenact closely the passion of Jesus.

San Pedro Cutud, a town in Pampanga has become hugely popular to pilgrims and tourists for the crucifixion drama, where flagellants allow themselves to be nailed to the cross.

Tour operators have also started offering packages that would allow visitors to witness the yearly spectacle, apparently inspired by the large turnout of tourists the past few years.

Tirona said continuing the practice of drawing tourists to the country with the bloody reenactment of the passion of Jesus as a come-on was “unacceptable.”

Silence, reflection

“I cannot judge those who allow themselves to be crucified but definitely, if they do it out of tourism, we don’t favor it. It’s unacceptable,” the prelate said.

Tirona said it amounted to “manipulation of our faith.”

He considered silence and reflection as more meaningful ways to atone for one’s sins during Lenten.

“We carry out so many acts to atone for our sins, but what is important is to keep silent, to think and reflect and honestly admit our mistakes,” he added.

Giving alms

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes reminded the faithful that reformation should be accompanied by more intense prayers.

Bastes said acts of penance could be done through giving alms and meditating on the laws of God by reading and living the Bible and observing the Church’s tradition.

“To those who engage in self-flagellation, I advise them to practice genuine peace which is interior conversion, not external rites that do not touch the heart,” he said.

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez also discouraged penitents from being nailed to the cross.

“Please don’t do this anymore [because] there are other ways to atone for your sins,” he said.