Filipino Devotees Honor Jesus Statue, By HRVOJE HRANJSKI, Associated Press Writer, Full story here, January 9, 2007

Here is an extract: “MANILA, Philippines – Tens of thousands (of) barefoot Filipino Catholic devotees jostled for a chance to touch a black statue of Jesus in an annual procession Wednesday, seeking blessings or forgiveness for their sins.  …

Many believe the life-sized wooden figure, brought by Spanish missionaries from Mexico in 1606, holds mystical powers that can wash away sins or cure illnesses. The missionaries’ ship caught fire and the statue was burned but survived as a testament to the Philippines’ unique brand of Catholicism that combines folk superstitions in Asia’s most populous Christian nation.”

The isssue is that Jesus, our God, has already washed away sin. This problem must be dealt with by Catholic teachers, there can be no doubt that folk superstitions are a form of idolatry, and must never be combined with the way, and the truth. There can be no compromise – just as the bronze serpent was smashed, so too black statues of Jesus must also be smashed – for the same reason.

What do you think?

Posted on January 10th, 2008 by Shayne
Filed under: Current Events