The Good Friday crucifixion rituals in the villages north of the Philippine capital Manila attract curious tourists every year. Tourists look on and snap pictures as half naked penitents wonder around flagellating themselves with bamboo sticks or paddles tipped with broken glass.

In the village of San Pedro Cutud eleven penitents were nailed to calvary-sized crosses on Good Friday. And I actually do mean nailed. Seven inch nails driven into the hands and feet with the aid of a hammer.

Although Catholic authorities frown on the Cutud spectacle, the practice of flagellantism and other forms of self-inflicted pain has a long history in the church. It was particularly prevalent in Perugia in the mid-13th century. Processions of thousands flocked through the streets, bearing crosses and scourging themselves.

Opus Dei, a traditionalist Catholic organization with about 85,000 members has encouraged mortification as a method for increasing devotion and dedication. Practices followed by some of the more zealous have included the use of the "cilice" - a spiked chain worn around the upper thigh for two hours each day. Opus Dei members have also been known to use a scourge to whip the back and buttocks.

Opus Dei was founded by a Catholic priest named Josemaria Escrivá. His maxim on suffering was "Loved be pain. Sanctified be pain. Glorified be pain!" You could be forgiven for thinking that this might be a quotation by the Marquis de Sade. Mortification taken to extremes has much in common with masochism or sadism - depending on your inclination. On one occasion Escrivá flailed himself over a thousand times.

Church leaders in the Philippines frown upon the Easter week rituals. However the crucifixion ritual, isn't really such an anomaly when you consider it in the context of the mortifications undertaken by the faithful throughout the history of the Church.