sermonindex
Apr 7, 2012
Thousands of people gathered in Philippine villages to watch devotees being nailed to crosses as they marked Good Friday by re-enacting Jesus Christ’s suffering, a yearly — not to mention mildly gruesome rite that continues even as church leaders discourage the practice.
Nine men wearing crowns of twigs on their heads were crucified for a few minutes by villagers dressed as Roman centurions in northern Pampanga province’s San Pedro Cutud village. At least eight other people were nailed to crosses in neighboring villages.
The spectacle reflects a unique brand of Catholicism that merges church traditions with Philippine folk superstitions. ...