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April 22, 2011

AP:Penitent Filipinos nailed to crosses in Good Friday rite rejected by Catholic church leaders

by Bullit Marquez
The Associated Press

SAN PEDRO CUTUD, Philippines - At least 24 Filipinos were nailed to wooden crosses to re-enact Jesus Christ's suffering in a local Good Friday rite rejected by Catholic church leaders but witnessed by throngs of believers and thousands of tourists.

Ruben Enaje, a 50-year-old sign painter, screamed in pain as villagers dressed as Roman centurions hammered four-inch, stainless steel nails through his palm and set him aloft on a cross under a brutal sun for a few minutes in San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga province as thousands watched.

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