Gruesome moment Filipino Catholics whip and slash themselves as they march through streets for Easter ritual

GRUESOME pictures show Catholics in the Philippines whipping and slashing themselves as they march through streets for an Easter ritual.

Many Filipinos perform the religious penance in the week leading to Easter in the hope they will be cleansed of sins and illnesses and their wishes might be granted.

There are 90 million Catholics in the Philippines, the most for an Asian country, and third in the world, only behind Brazil and Mexico.

Many attended church on Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week with prayers for the health of Pope Francis, while others performed flagellation rituals.

Pictures show the hooded penitents marching through the streets of Mandaluyong city as they beat themselves with bamboo tipped whips.

Such is the force of the blows that blood can be seen flowing from their wounds as they lie face down on the ground.

Other penitents had their backs slashed with sharp objects as they also lie with their faces pressed to the road.

The barefoot devotees also kneel down on the road during the bizarre rituals as by-standers look on.

Others had stakes tied tied to their arms with the points digging into their bodies.

Other rituals include Filipino Catholics nailing themselves to crosses in a gruesome Good Friday re-enactment.

They include Ruben Enaje, 63, who will be nailed on Good Friday for the 34th time to a wooden cross, with which he emulates the passion of Christ.

Enaje will drag a heavy 80lb cross for 1.2 miles through the streets of San Pedro de Cutud, before the palms of his hands are pierced to be crucified.

“I will offer this to people who have been affected by Covid-19, and I pray to our Lord that this disease will suddenly disappear because many people have suffered from the pandemic,” he said.

The Catholic Church, the faith of 80 per cent of Filipinos, has expressed disapproval of self-flagellation and considers it an extreme misinterpretation of faith.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas has implored Catholics to mark Lent with prayers and acts of love and charity.

"Instead of spilling your blood on the streets, why not walk into a Red Cross office and donate blood? Choose to share life. Share your blood," he said.