Philippines: Bishop Urges Filipinos Against Turning Holy Week Into Circus With Crucifixion Rites
MANILA, PHILIPPINES: A Catholic bishop urged Filipinos not to turn Holy Week into a circus with flagellation and crucifixion rites, while the health secretary said Thursday (20 Mar) those who join the rituals should get tetanus shots to avoid infection.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos crammed into bus depots and snarled traffic Thursday, as the nation began a began a four-day Easter holiday.
While many were headed to their hometowns or to beach resorts, pilgrims also were flocking to villages where penitents gather every Good Friday to lash their backs with bamboo sticks or have themselves nailed to wooden crosses to re-enact Jesus Christ's' sufferings.
