Authorities in the Philippines have announced that at least 24 "penitents" are expected to be nailed on the cross on Good Friday, an annual ritual meant to atone for sins and give thanks to God for blessings. But the country's Catholic bishops warned the faithful against resorting to extreme forms of sacrifice on Good Friday, including crucifixion and self-flagellation. Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, president of the Philippine Bishops' Conference, said: "Let us concentrate more on the prayers. These are the wonderful ways of celebrating the Holy Week," He added that the real spirit of the observance of the Holy Week is "conversion of oneself". Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi, chairman of the bishops' commission on youth, also reminded the faithful that there are "other forms of sacrifice and suffering that would lead to real conversion". "The Lord appreciates all these forms of sacrifices, but sometimes the kind of sacrifice that we impose on ourselves is not what the Lord wants us to do," he said. Although the Church decries the ritual, the government says it cannot stop devotees from crucifying and whipping themselves. The department of health has already said that those taking part in the rituals to have tetanus shots and must only use sterilised nails.