Crucifixion

== As a devotional practice ==
{{Further|Crucifixion in the Philippines}}

In July 1805, a man named Mattio Lovat [[Self-crucifixion of Mattio Lovat|attempted to crucify himself]] at a public street in [[Venice]], Italy. The attempt was unsuccessful, and he was sent to an asylum, where he died a year later.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Böhmer |first=Maria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oKOODwAAQBAJ |title=The Man Who Crucified Himself: Readings of a Medical Case in Nineteenth-Century Europe |date=2018-11-08 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004353602 |language=en}}</ref>

In some cases, a crucifixion is simulated within a [[passion play]], as in the ceremonial re-enactment that has been performed yearly in the town of [[Passion Play of Iztapalapa|Iztapalapa]], on the outskirts of [[Mexico City]], since 1833,<ref>{{cite web |title=Religion-Mexico: The Passion According to Iztapalapa |url=http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=23257 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226173652/http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=23257 |archive-date=2009-12-26 |access-date=2009-12-19 |publisher=IPS News}}</ref> and in the famous [[Oberammergau Passion Play]]. Also, since at least the mid-19th century, a group of [[flagellants]] in [[New Mexico]], called ''Hermanos de Luz'' ("Brothers of Light"), have annually conducted reenactments of Christ's crucifixion during [[Holy Week]], in which a penitent is tied—but not nailed—to a cross.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aragon |first1=Ray John De |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=noimuXOCtFgC&pg=PA58 |title=The Penitentes of New Mexico: Hermanos de la Luz |date=2006 |publisher=Sunstone Press |isbn=978-0-86534-504-1 |page=58 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Crucifixion in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, easter 2006, p-ad20060414-12h54m52s-r.jpg|upright=1.25|thumb|Devotional crucifixion in [[San Fernando, Pampanga]], Philippines, Easter 2006]]

The [[Catholic Church]] frowns upon self-crucifixion as a form of devotion: "Penitential practices leading to self-crucifixion with nails are not to be encouraged."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623013300/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html|url-status=dead|title=Directory on popular piety and the liturgy. Principles and guidelines|archivedate=June 23, 2012|website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> Despite this, the practice persists in the [[Philippines]], where some Catholics are [[Crucifixion in the Philippines|voluntarily, non-lethally crucified]] for a limited time on [[Good Friday]] to imitate the sufferings of Christ. Pre-sterilised nails are driven through the palm of the hand between the bones, while there is a footrest to which the feet are nailed. Rolando del Campo, a carpenter in [[Pampanga]], vowed to be crucified every Good Friday for 15 years if God would carry his wife through a difficult childbirth,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religiousfreaks.com/2006/04/12/man-crucifies-himself-every-good-friday/|title=Man Crucifies Himself Every Good Friday|publisher=Religious Freaks|date=2006-04-12|access-date=2009-12-19}} (dead link 6 April 2023)</ref> while in [[San Pedro Cutud]], [[Ruben Enaje]] has been crucified 34 times.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cal |first1=Ben |title=Filipino penitent cancels 'crucifixion' anew due to Covid-19 |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172152 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=April 13, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Catholic Church in the Philippines|Filipino Catholic Church]] has repeatedly voiced disapproval of crucifixions and self-[[flagellation]], while the government has noted that it cannot deter devotees. The [[Department of Health (Philippines)|Department of Health]] recommends that participants in the rites should have [[tetanus]] shots and that the nails used should be sterilized.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leilani |first1=Junio |title=DOH to penitents: Make sure nails, whips are sterilized |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030440 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=March 29, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>