CASE STUDY 3: DID RIZAL RETRACT?

 Jose Rizal is identified as a hero of the revolution for his writings that center on
ending colonialism and liberating Filipino minds to contribute to creating the
Filipino nation.
 It is understandable therefore, that any piece of writing from Rizal that recants
everything he has written against the friars and the Catholic Church in the
Philippines could deal heavy damage to his image as a prominent Filipino
revolutionary.
 Such document purportedly exists, allegedly signed by Rizal a few hours before
his execution.
 This document, referred to as "The Retraction," declares Rizal's belief in the
Catholic faith, and retract everything he has written against the Church.
 Manila 29 of December of 1896 Jose Rizal There are four iterations of the texts
of this retraction: the first was published in La Voz Española and Diario de Manila
on the day of the execution, 30 December 1896.
• Jose Rizal is hailed as a revolutionary hero for his works, which focus on putting an end to
colonialism and emancipating Filipino minds so they can help build the Filipino country.
Therefore, it makes sense that any text by Rizal that retracts all of his criticisms of the friars and
the Catholic Church in the Philippines might seriously harm his reputation as a well-known
Filipino rebel.
Such a document is said to exist, and Rizal is said to have signed it just before his execution.

• In this paper, known as "The Retraction," Rizal renounces all of his writings critical of the
Church and affirms his commitment to the Catholic faith.

There have been four versions of the texts for this retraction: the first was written by Jose Rizal
in Manila on December 29, 1896.