Man gets ’nailed’ for Good Friday

A 33-year old Australian TV documentary maker and comedian was 'crucified' in Good Friday rituals near Manila

Man gets 'nailed' for Good Friday

Calling himself only John Michael (real name John Safran), the Melbournian was nailed to a wooden cross along with three local men and a woman.

He was heard moaning loudly as the nails were driven into his palms while his cross was hoisted up, allowing him to hang for about five minutes after which he was rushed to a medical tent for treatment.

John Safran, as seen on his promotional videos

Safran was half-naked and wore a longhaired wig with a crown of thorns as he joined a procession carrying a huge wooden cross to a crucifixion site, flanked by men in Roman centurion costumes.

He refused to say why he joined the ceremony but an unnamed companion is reported to have said, "This is a personal thing for him".

Safran is believed to be working on a new TV series for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation called John Safran's Race Relations.

Publicity material for the series says: "With a reputation for pushing things well beyond the limit, no topic is too hot, no country is too dangerous for John Safran's new globe-trotting adventure."

His past stunts on TV have included undergoing an apparent exorcism and trying to persuade cricketer Shane Warne to break a no-smoking clause in an advertising contract by driving a remote-controlled seagull carrying a cigarette in its beak on to the pitch.

Twenty-five more men were reportedly crucified in another town near Manila, capital of the Philippines, on Friday as part of annual ceremonies which, although not formally endorsed by the Catholic church, are part of religious vows in return for favours granted or in penance for sins.u00a0

(Source: The Weekend Australian)

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