1.
GV FLAGELLANTS WALK ALONG STREETS BEATING THEMSELVES
0.03

2.
SV ONLOOKERS ON ROADSIDE.
0.06

3.
SV & CU OTHERS BEATING PROSTRATE FLAGELLANTS (3 SHOTS)
0.24

4.
SV SMALL CHILDREN LOOK ON.
0.29

5.
SV FLAGELLANT KNEELING AND LASHING HIMSELF.
0.35

6.
SV & CU ANOTHER FLAGELLANT BEING BEATEN ON BACK (3 SHOTS)
0.48

7.
SV OTHER FLAGELLANTS KNEELING AND LASHING THEMSELVES.
1.04

8.
GV CROWD PAN TO CHURCH.
1.08

9.
SV FLAGELLANTS APPROACHING CHURCH.
1.15

10.
SV FLAGELLANTS BEING BEATEN AT ALTAR.
1.20

11.
SV FLAGELLANT KNEELS AND BLESSES HIMSELF.
1.25



Initials JDR/VS/BOB/LAD



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN BALUT TONDO, MANILA, CHRISTIAN FLAGELLANTS RECALLED THE HORROR OF THE FIRST GOOD FRIDAY ON GOOD FRIDAY 1969 (4 APRIL). IN CEREMONIES LASTING SEVERAL HOURS, THE MEN WERE BEATEN UNTIL THEIR BLOOD FLOWED AND SOME HAD FAINTED.

FLAGELLATION IS AN ANCIENT CUSTOM OF The CHURCH, AND WAS EXTENSIVELY PRACTISED IN EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES. TRADITIONALLY, IT SOUGHT TO GIVE THE PENITENT SUFFERER GRACE THROUGH THE MORTIFICATION OF THE FLESH. IN A MILDER FORM, THE NOTION OF MORTIFICATION OF THE FLESH STILL PERSISTS, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE WEARING OF A HAIR SHIRT NEXT THE SKIN. POPE PIUS XII WAS FOUND TO HAVE WORN A HAIR SHIRT AFTER HIS DEATH.

THE FLAGELLANTS IN MANILA WERE SEEKING TO RE-CREATE THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST AS HE WENT TO HIS CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH ON THE FIRST GOOD FRIDAY. THROUGH THIS PERSONAL SUFFERING THEY NOT ONLY SEEK NEW GRACE, BUT OFFER THEIR SUFFERING AS A TOKEN FOR PAST FAVOURS FROM GOD.