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  "path": "/news/world/catholic-good-friday-nailed-cross-crucifixion",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-03T15:11:11.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Keir Starmer urged to answer Iranian dissident's plea as Tories 'ready' to support emergency action",
    "Boy, 14, shot dead in daylight London attack - Met Police arrest three as investigation launched",
    "Mark White exposes 'worrying' small boats trend as migrants transform tactics to reach Britain",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n**_WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT_**\n\nHundreds of people gathered in the Philippine city of San Fernando on Good Friday to witness a series of brutal religious rituals, including men being nailed to crosses in a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.\n\nFrom early morning, penitents filled the streets of Pampanga province, many barefoot and bare-backed, whipping themselves with bamboo sticks as they walked under intense heat.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOthers used small wooden paddles embedded with shards of glass to cut their skin, ensuring blood flowed as part of their act of devotion.\n\nThe annual event, held during Holy Week in the predominantly Catholic country, draws large crowds each year, with both locals and tourists travelling to see the stark display of faith.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBy around 1pm, attention turned to an open field where the most extreme part of the ritual unfolded.\n\nSeveral men were nailed to wooden crosses and raised upright in front of onlookers.\n\nLong nails were driven through their hands, and in some cases their feet, as part of the re-enactment. The men remained suspended for several minutes before being brought down and treated.\n\nGB News regular Benjamin Butterworth, who was among those watching, said the scene was difficult to process.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n“It was extraordinary to see. The man was wailing in pain as he was hoisted upwards and nailed to the cross. I have never seen anything like it,” he said.\n\n“You could really feel the emotional toll of sacrifice of some of these men.\n\n“It was pretty hard to watch a man be crucified in real life. But the locals take it very seriously. Hundreds waited for hours in the torturous sun to see this spectacle and share their Holy Week.”\n\nThe practice is not officially endorsed by the Catholic Church, but continues to be carried out by some devotees as a personal act of penance or prayer.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Keir Starmer urged to answer Iranian dissident's plea as Tories 'ready' to support emergency action\n  * Boy, 14, shot dead in daylight London attack - Met Police arrest three as investigation launched\n  * Mark White exposes 'worrying' small boats trend as migrants transform tactics to reach Britain\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nParticipants often say they are seeking forgiveness, giving thanks, or asking for healing for loved ones.\n\nDespite its graphic nature, the event remains a major draw, with thousands known to attend in some years.\n\nMany travel long distances to take part or watch, treating it as a central part of their Holy Week observance.\n\nLocal authorities monitor the event each year, with medical teams on hand as those taking part are lowered from the crosses and attended to.\n\nFor those gathered in San Fernando, the rituals are a stark and physical expression of faith — one that continues to provoke strong reactions from those seeing it for the first time.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Catholic devotee marks Good Friday by being nailed to a cross during brutal crucifixion re-enactment"
}