Church frowns on self-flagellation, crucifixion, retired archbishop reminds faithful

Enough with the self-flagellation and crucifixion this Holy Week. The Catholic Church is not pleased. According to retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, the Church does not tolerate blood spilt as acts of penitence during the Holy Week. “Huwag naman 'yung ... to the extent of a blood flowing out. That's too much na,” Cruz said in an interview on GMA News TV's “News to Go” on Friday. Cruz was referring to the practices of penitence in the predominantly Catholic country where devotees allow themselves to be nailed to the cross or flagellate themselves supposedly to atone for their sins. “Hindi naman kailangan talaga na ikaw 'yung magpadanak ng dugo para masabing ang iyong sakripisyo ay totoo,” Cruz said, adding these acts are "over-Christian." “I think it's over-Christian, if I may say so,” he said. “Ayoko sanang husgaan ito, pagka't hindi madaling magpapako. Ako ayaw ko magpapapako, masakit yan.” Cruz noted that Jesus Christ already spilt his own blood as sacrifice to redeem his followers. “Una't simula, hindi sinasang-ayunan ng Simbahan 'yan pagkat si Kristo, dinanas na ang lahat 'yan para sa atin. So tama na 'yun. We are already redeemed,” he said. Cruz also lamented that these acts of penitence, particularly the self-crucifixion, which has become a yearly tourist attraction in Pampanga, are usually taken advantage of by profiteering Catholics. “[M]ay mga tao who take advantage of the spectacle. They make a business out of it. May mga tindahan. Noong araw, mayroon pa akong narinig na mayroong ticket bago ka makapasok. It's sad that it has deteriorated,” he said. He discouraged Catholics, too, from going to family trips during the Holy Week. “If you really want to have the spirit of penance, sa simbahan niyo gawin, huwag niyo gawin sa beach.” “Ako naman nahihirapan isipin kaya kayo nagpunta sa beach ay para magpenitensya. Medyo mahirap unawain 'yun. Kaya nga nagpunta sa beach, para mag-relax. Come on. At least be truthful,” he added. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News