Part of Mideo Cruz's Poleteismo exhibit.

MANILA, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Manila has declared August 26 as a “Day of Penance” for what it calls the “sinful” art exhibit recently closed down by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

CBCP News said Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has issued a circular encouraging Catholics to perform a sacrifice on that date, such as fasting “as an expression of remorse for the sins committed against God’s majesty.”

A “prayer of reparation” has also been distributed for use in Masses in Manila from August 21 to 28.

He described the Poleteismo exhibit of artist Mideo Cruz “sacrilege and blasphemy.”

Poleteismo is only a part of the Kulo exhibit. It featured scenes such as a wooden penis protruding from the face of Jesus, which some deemed malicious and an attack on one’s senses.

“For us Catholics and Christians, the offense goes beyond visual senses; it strikes into our souls,” said Rosales.

“As Church, we will kneel before our loving God to pray and seek reparation for this public sin,” he said.