MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday spoke out against turning the tradition of crucifixion into a form of entertainment.
Fr. Francis Lucas, executive secretary of CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Social Commission and Mass Media, yesterday said that making entertainment out of Christ’s sufferings was a “no-no.â€
“What is bad here is if you want to be crucified to become famous or earn money... being crucified becomes an entertainment. It is no longer part of the original objective to depict the sufferings of Jesus Christ,†Lucas said.
He added that the same explanation applies to the pabasa or the chanting of the Lord’s passion. It becomes a form of entertainment when the people uses rap tunes and laugh while narrating the passion and sufferings of Christ.
The CBCP official also clarified that the Church does not recommend crucifixion because Jesus Christ already offered his life to save the people from their sins.
DOH discourages flagellation, crucifixion
The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday also discouraged self-flagellation and crucifixion.
“Don’t do it. The Church does not condone, does not recommend these practices,†Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a press briefing.
Ona warned that penitents only expose themselves to infection and other complications that may arise if they flagellate or allow themselves to be nailed to the cross.
The Health Secretary also said that if the nailing is not done properly, it could lead to permanent damage to the hands and feat.
“The nail may hit the bone or the nerve or the blood vessels. We have palmer nerves in our hands and if the nail hits them, there could be bleeding and then nothing happens. But if the nerves are cut, numbness in the fingers results,†he said.
Doctors in San Fernando, Pampanga also warned against the risks of flagellation, as penitents showed up in increasing numbers along the highways of the province starting yesterday.
Jesse Fantone, regional epidemiologist of the DOH in Central Luzon, told The STAR penitents should watch out for tetanus, severe bleeding, dehydration, infections, and rabies.
Fantone said that in 2007, 98 flagellants had to be injected with anti-rabies vaccine because the blade that they all used to lacerate their backs to induce bleeding during flagellation was also used by a penitent who eventually died from rabies.
Health authorities found out that penitent Eduardo Sese of Barangay Aguso was bitten by a dog in October 2006 and in February 2007 but he never had himself examined by a doctor.
But Fantone said that he does not expect penitents to be discouraged from practicing flagellation despite the health risks involved.
“I was told that the spirit of such acts of penitence is mortification, and taking water especially when thirsty and avoiding sources of infection run contrary to this,†Fantone said.
He also noted that despite the thousands of penitents in actual crucifixions and flagellations over the years in the region, he has not known of anyone being hospitalized because of the penitential acts.
“It could be that the penitents are really careful. On the other hand, there could be some miracle involved,†he said.
In Malolos City, Bulacan doctors warned flagellants here not to bath in rivers – particularly in polluted rivers in Marilao, Meycauayan, Bocaue, Balagtas and Guiguinto and the Angat river – to avoid infection.
Jocelyn Gomez, head of the Provincial Public Health Office, told The STAR that bathing in rivers is not advisable especially for flagellants who have open wounds because of possible infection.
Roberto Ramirez of Bulacan said flagellants should wash their wounds with soap and clean water from local water districts and artesian wells.
CCTV cameras at crucifixion sites
Meanwhile, the police will deploy 250 cops and install CCTV cameras at the crucifixion sites in the villages San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia and San Juan in San Fernando, Pampanga on Good Friday to ensure the safety of spectators.
Superintendent Ricardo David, chief of police of San Fernando City, said that policemen in civilian clothes would be dispatched at the crucifixion sites to secure local and foreign visitors and to assist in the flow of traffic there.
The Land Transportation Office in San Fernando also advised penitents to keep to the sides of highways and other thoroughfares to prevent road accidents and traffic congestion.
“We are targeting zero crime at the three crucifixion sites, that’s why we installed CCTV cameras to the areas,†David said, adding that he is expecting 50,000 spectators to troop to the crucifixion sites where at least 24 penitents will be nailed to wooden crosses on Good Friday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), however, warned that adults who push minors to perform penitential acts could be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, DSWD information officer Evelyn Manalo said.
The DSWD also echoed the advisory of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth that children should not imitate adults practicing self-flagellation because there are other meaningful ways of sacrifice. – With Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu, Dino Balabo