DOH, CBCP warn against crucifixion, self-flagellation on Holy Week

With only four days ahead of Good Friday, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) once again reminded devotees that the Catholic Church does not endorse the practice of crucifixion or self-flagellation during Holy Week.

“Ang teolohiya ang nagsasabi sa atin, sinasabi sa atin, ang pagpapapako ni Hesus at ang kamatayan sa krus, sobra pa sapat yun para ang tao ay tubusin mo sa mga epekto ng pagkakasala. Kaya hindi na naman ito inuulit,’’ Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP’s permanent committee on public affairs, told GMA News on Monday.

“Kaya yung halimbawa mga tao na gustong magpapako sa krus at gustong saktan ang kanilang sarili dahil iniisip nila na ito ay magpapabawas sa kanilang kasalanan, magpapatawad sa kanilang kasalanan, hindi tama ang ganung pananaw,’’ said Secillano.

Every year, thousands of Catholic devotees and tourists flock to Barangay Cutud in Pampanga to witness the crucifixion of some Catholic devotees on Good Friday.

In various other parts of the Philippines—the only predominantly Catholic country in Southeast Asia—hundreds of devotees self-flagellate during processions. Some use sharp objects, resulting to bloody wounds on the back.

Secillano said the Catholic Church teaches that if one wants to be absolved of one’s sins, he or she must go to confession instead of getting crucified or self-flagellating.

“Kung gusto mo na ika’y mapatawad sa iyong kasalanan, kumpisal ang kailangan. Ang tao kinakailangan lang magsisi sa kanyang pagkakasala, lumapit sa pari, mangumpisal. Siya ay bibigyan ng absolution o patawad sa kanyang kasalanan,’’ said the CBCP official.

Catholics may also spend Holy Week by going to Mass, praying, or practicing abstinence, he added.

DOH warns vs. health risks

The Department of Health likewise warned the public about the health risks of crucifixion or self-flagellation.

Having open wounds can cause various infections and diseases—some of them deadly, like tetanus, said DOH spokesman Undersecretary Rolando Domingo.

“Siyempre pag may mga puncture wound tayo, nakakatakot ang tetanus. At ang tetano talagang 100% nakakamatay yan kung magkaron tayo ng sakit na yan,’’ Domingo told GMA News.

“Pero puwera pa dun, may mga bacterial infections na maaaring pumasok sa balat natin, sa mga sugat at saka sa dugo natin na maaaring maging cause ng napakarami pang ibang problema like infection sa balat and, worse comes to worst nga yung sepsis na hanggang sa dugo natin mapunta sa infection,’’ he said.

But if a devotee decides to push through with practices that might cause open wounds, he or she must at least ensure that the tools to be used are clean and sterile, Domingo said.

The devotee must also take care in cleaning the wound afterwards to make sure it will not be infected, and consult a doctor if necessary.

The Health official warned that even without open wounds, self-flagellating for long hours under the heat of the sun may be harmful to one’s health.

“Kung maghapon kang nakabilad tapos maghapon mag-e-exert ka ng pwersa sa katawan pagkatapos napakainit pa, lalong na-mu-multiply yung risk natin na magkaroon ng heatstroke, from heat exposure madehydrate at saka magkaron ng kung ano anong panghihina ng katawan,’’ said Domingo.

Domingo said the public should keep their health in mind as they express their religious devotion during Holy Week. — RSJ, GMA News