UP Ibalon Bicol: Crucifixion

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Ban of crucifix in classrooms in Italy infuriates Catholics & other Christian denominations

11/05/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

It is the sobering message of the times. If one is not paying attention, the anti-Christians, the secularists and those against faith-based beliefs have been assaulting religion again. In a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, the crucifix, the symbol of the suffering Jesus Christ revered by Christians, has been banned in Italian schools. The court rationalized its caustic decision by saying that faith-based symbols are “breach of religious rights of children.”

The case against the crucifix was lodged by atheists----Soile Lautsi, a Finnish immigrant and her Italian husband who protested that the classroom display of the cross violated the freedom and religious rights of their two children. For their complaint, they were awarded EU$5,000 as damages. Seven judges of the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg upheld their argument adding:

"The presence of the crucifix could easily be interpreted by pupils of all ages as a religious sign and they would feel that they were being educated in a school environment bearing the stamp of a given religion.

This could be encouraging for religious pupils, but also disturbing for pupils who practised other religions or were atheists, particularly if they belonged to religious minorities." ---MailOnline (11/04/09, Pisa, N.)

The Italians, the Vatican authorities along with many Christian believers worldwide expressed their outrage over the ruling. Angry reactions came from abroad. In cyberspace, Catholics and other denominational Christians expressed dissatisfaction. All over Italy, mayors pledged to disobey the unfriendly ruling.

Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a conservative, asserted the removal of the symbol of Jesus in classrooms "denies the rights and roots of Europeans." He said banning the crucifix is not acceptable to Italians. Msgr. Vincenzo Paglia, the head of the Italian bishop’s intercultural dialogue commission commented the court's decision was "irresponsible".

“They are creating a Europe without identity and tradition,” said Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, who in his time ordered the display of the crucifix.

Foreign minister Franco Frattini said the prohibition is a death blow to “a Europe of values and rights.” Agriculture minister Luca Zaia remarked the crucifix’s removal is shameful. Antonio Mazzocchi, a Berlusconi ally, noted Europe is forgetting its Christian heritage.

Mara Bizzoto, a parliamentarian, asked why the European court only ruled against the crucifix but spared Islamc symbols such as veils, burqas, and niqabs. Are the court members afraid of the Islamic faith? Is it clear that there is double standard in antagonizing Christians while avoiding the ire of Muslims, a growing immigrant ethnic group with known violent minority in their ranks?

Christians must stand up and be resolute in countering the growing anti-Christian hostility of radical secularists, agnostics, and atheists who wish to throw away faith and social traditions of believers. The controversial ban on crucifixes in the classroom is reminiscent of the persecution of early Christians. Prejudice against the Christians has gone overboard and must be rejected. (Photo Credit: giftscatholic.com) =0=

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Labels: Ban, Catholic, cross, Crucifixion, faith, Italy, religion, Roman Catholic Church, Totie Mesia, Vatican

Bizarre Holy Week Tradition: Crucifixion in Pampanga

4/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

About 2,000 years have passed since the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and crucifixion is still being practiced in Pampanga. Supervised by the government, the villages of San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia, and San Juan observe the Lenten tradition with ceremonial flagellations and the nailing of the cross watched by crowds of curious spectators. The reenactment of Jesus’ suffering is preceded by a “pabasa” and way of the cross recalling the Christ's passion.

The practice of crucifixion might have originated in 1962 when Artemio Anoza, a faith-healer who agreed to be nailed on the cross. From then on, a growing crowd of penitents, about 500-600 “repentant" human beings parade the street, whipping themselves in atonement for their sins.

As a culmination of a Calvary-like imitation of Jesus, the people get to see about 10 to 15 people undergo nailing in Cutud. In addition Sta Lucia, and San Juan have 9 and 5 people respectively are put on the stake to be crucified. More than 70,000 to 80,000 spectators troop to these rituals.

"A man who paints houses and makes streamers for a living, Enaje will be nailed to the cross for the 23rd year. He took to the cross as a thanksgiving after he survived a fall from a three-story building in 1986.”----Inquirer (04/07/09, Oreias, T)

Village leaders say the crucifixions are acts of repentance and expressions of thanks. For a special favor penitents fulfull their promises of being nailed on the tree on their own volition. Contrary to the allegations of others, people say the flagellants (Mandarame) don't get crucified for a fee.

The crucifixion isn’t part of the Catholic religious observance that dates back in pagan times. The primitive practice is discouraged by the modern Catholic Church. Yet in Pampanga, it has been a compelling tradition.

A macabre source of tourist curiosity, this bloody observance of Jesus Christ’s death has drawn criticisms from various segments of society. The public complains this Lenten observance is primitively gruesome. Diluting the significance of the Holy Week, the crucifixion has lost it's solemnity with the crowds. It has become commercialized.

To keep peace and order, about 200 police officers will be deployed on Good Friday. Local government officials regard the crucifixion as a tourist attraction from which part its income comes from. (Photo Credits: Caroline Butler; LA Times/ Mark Boster; Michel Detay x 2; Caroline Butler) =0=