Philippines devotees self-flagellate and pray on Good Friday amid lockdown

Record ID: 1468787

  • Title: Philippines devotees self-flagellate and pray on Good Friday amid lockdown
  • Date: 10th April 2020
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (APRIL 10, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DEVOTEES WHIPPING THEIR BACKS (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) DEVOTEE, EDWARD DEGUSANO, SAYING: "We are here because we want the spread of COVID-19 to end and we pray that things in our country will go back to normal.”
  • Embargoed: 24th April 2020 06:02
  • Keywords: COVID-19 Catholicism Easter Good Friday Manila Philippines coronavirus lockdown
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA001C8WPCNB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Catholic devotees flagellated themselves and prayed outside of closed churches in Manila on early on Friday (April 10) as part of their annual penitence for Lent despite government orders to stay indoors due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
    The Bishops of Manila suspended services for Good Friday and Easter for the duration of the lockdown, which began in mid March. Nevertheless, many devotees defied the lockdown and flocked outside of churches to pray. Those who whipped and flagellated themselves, said they believed it would grant salvation from their sins on Good Friday.
    "We are here because we want the spread of COVID-19 to end and we pray that things in our country will go back to normal," said Edward Degusano, who attended a self-flagellation ritual in the morning hours.
    The Catholic Church has expressed disapproval of these self-punishments as misinterpretations of faith, saying prayers and sincere repentance are enough to commemorate the observance of Lent, but devotees believe the rites will cleanse away their sins, cure illnesses and even grant wishes.
    The Philippines health department confirmed a total of 4,076 confirmed coronavirus cases and a 203 deaths as of Friday morning.
    (Production: Jay Ereno, Adrian Portugal)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register