Anything but ended... processions of flagellants, crucifixions, the whole works. There is a large dormant volcano south of Manila that is widely believed to be a locus of spiritual power; it attracts all manner of odd sects. Many claim to be Catholic, though the Vatican would never recognize them as such: some have female priests, which I doubt would meet the approval of the hierarchy. The faithful believe that God, angered by violence in the Holy Land, transferred the sacred sites to Mt. Banahaw; various places are named after supposedly analogous places in the Middle East, and are visited by streams of devout pilgrims. Outside every church in Manila are vendors selling amulets purported to give mystic powers, along with herbal potions "to bring back menstruation", which are actually abortifacients. Every so often visions and miracles are reported, and hordes of pilgrims descend, invariably reporting appearances of the Virgin Mary (adoration of whom has been raised to a cult in some circles here), etc.
I cannot begin to describe the strangeness of it all; I could go on for pages, which would not be such a good idea, as it is hardly a topic of general interest. |
