As someone born in the Philippines, just to put this in context: penitensya, which involves flogging oneself or allowing oneself to be crucified, was a common practice in a number of parts of the Philippines. The practice of course stems from the practice of self-mortification and the medieval Flagellants. Many of those who perform this act usually do so in fulfillment of a vow (panata) they had made, such as the man on the video. There is apparently also the perception that performing penitensya forgives one from sins. Needless to say, the local bishop’s council have discouraged the practice of such acts, but that doesn’t stop people from continuing to do it.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai21Dqm5jZI
Any thoughts?
Does the Church sanction this kind of activity?
Is this fine or is he mistaken to do this?
Thanks for the info…As someone born in the Philippines, just to put this in context: penitensya, which involves flogging oneself or allowing oneself to be crucified, was a common practice in a number of parts of the Philippines. The practice of course stems from the practice of self-mortification and the medieval Flagellants. Many of those who perform this act usually do so in fulfillment of a vow (panata) they had made, such as the man on the video. There is apparently also the perception that performing penitensya forgives one from sins. Needless to say, the local bishop’s council have discouraged the practice of such acts, but that doesn’t stop people from continuing to do it.
Exactly; BTW wasn’t there a society of Penitentes over there? Also, I think it is only in the Philippines where people actually nail themselves up on crosses.The Phillipines were a Colony of Spain for over 300 years, until we took them away from Spain in 1898, That is why most Phillipinos have Spanish names and the country is one of the most Catholic Countries on earth.
The Phillipinos got the custom of Penitensya from the Spanish, and this practice existed in many parts of Spain at least until the end of the Franco regime. I don’t know if these practices still exist in Spain after Vatican II, but I should think that traditional practices of that sort would be hard to squelch.