Editing Crucifixion (section)

== 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>

[[File:Calvary Baptist Crosses.png|thumb|Crosses used for mock crucifixions during Holy Week at Calvary Baptist Church, in Oak Hill, WV]]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> This tradition is sometimes practiced in other regions of the United States, such as in Appalachia, where members of Protestant churches stage mock crucifixions wherein  worshippers hang from straps on the crosses during Good Friday re-enactments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wvva.com/2024/03/28/crucifixion-reenactment-being-held-bluefield-good-friday/ |title=Crucifixion reenactment being held in Bluefield for Good Friday |date=28 March 2024 }}</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 35 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>