Retraction

of
Rizal
by: Group 4
 Table of contents
01 Introduction 04 Reasons of Retraction
02 Retraction
Dr. Jose Rizal’s
05 Retraction
Document of

03 Rizal’s Retraction 06 Argument Against

Different Version of
Retraction
The controversy surrounding Rizal's retraction
centers on a document that allegedly contains his
retraction of his anti-Catholic and anti-Spanish
writings. In the late 19th century, as the Philippines
was under Spanish rule, Rizal wrote several
influential works that criticized the Spanish
colonial administration and the abuses of the
Catholic Church. Some of his notable works
include "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."
Jose Rizal's Retraction:

I declare myself a catholic and in this Religion in which

I was born and educated I wish to live and die.

I retract with all my heart whatever in my words,

writings, publications and conduct has been contrary
to my character as son of the Catholic Church. I
believe and I confess whatever she teacher and I
submit to whatever she demands. I abominate
Masonry, as the enemy which is of the Church, and as
a Society prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan
Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority,
make public this spontaneous manifestation of mine in
order to repair the scandal which my acts may have
caused and so that God and people may pardon me.
 Four Iterations of the
text of the retraction:
FIRST VERSION SECOND VERSION THIRD VERSION FOURTH VERSION
The first was published The first was appeared The Balaguer The testimony of
in La Voz Española in Barcelona, Spain, in Testimony. According Cuerpo de Vigilancia.
and Diario de Manila the magazine La to his testimony, Rizal The Cuerpo de
on the very day of Juventud, a few months woke up several times, Vigilancia included a
Rizal’s execution, after the execution, 14 confessed four times, report on the last hours
December 30, 1896. Feb. 1987, from an attended a mass, of Rizal, written by
anonymous writer who received communion, a Federico Moreno.
was revealed to be Fr. prayed rosary, all of
Vicente Balaguer. which seemed out of
character.
 Reasons for
retraction
01 To save his family and town for
further persecution.

02 To give Josephine a legal status

as his wife.

03 To secure reforms from the

Spanish Government
Document
about
Retraction
came from:
Father Balaguer
Delivered the document to Father
Pio Pi who deliver it to Sec.
Gonzalez Feijoo.

Father Pio Pi
Father Balaguer handed out the
Retraction documents to Father Pio Pi.

After having a copy for their archives.

Fr. Pi then gave the document to the
Archbishop the next day.
Archbishop Nozaleda
Fr. Pio Pi gave the document to the
Archbishop then handed it to the
Secretary of the Archbishopric.

Gaspar Constano
Few days after death of Rizal, Castano
saw and read Rizal’s Retraction paper
wherein the later declared himself a
Catholic.
Father Rosell
On Dec. 30, 1896, Rosell saw the
retraction paper in Ateneo.

Luis taviel de Andrade

Heard that in the morning of Rizal’s
execution, Rizal married Josephine
Bracken.
Thomas Gonzalez Feijoo

The retraction document was

handed to him for safekeeping in
the archives of the Secretary’s
office.
Arguments against the
Retraction
The retraction information was published late that could be
unauthenticated.
Claim that other acts and facts do not fit well with the story.
Those most often referred to by writers as follows.
The ”Coetaneous Acts” that undermine the belief that Rizal
Retracted:
1. The document of retraction was kept secret.
2. The request of the Rizal Family to have the original or copy was
both denied.
Arguments against the
Retraction
Rizal’s burial was kept secret.
No masses or funeral was held by the Catholics.
He was not buried in the Catholic Cemetery of Paco but in the
ground.
There was no entry in the book of burials that Rizal’s body was
buried on the page of December 30 and it appears on a special
page where special orders of authorities are indicated.
Other arguments if it’s
true:
“His Roman Catholic Marriage” to Josephine Bracken as attested tp
by “witnesses”. There could be no marriage without a retraction.
In the desire for historical truth in much later years, people began
the search of Rizal’s retraction and different versions of fuly
notarized documents.
“Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity” reportedly recited and signed by
Dr. Jose Rizal attestesd by “witnesses” and signed Prayer book
which was amongst the documents.
Other arguments if it’s
true:
Th testimony of the press and the time of the event of “eyewitnesses”,
and other “qualified witnesses”, i.e those closely associated with the
events such as the head of the Jesus order, the archbishop, etc.
Rizal would not only accept the general Roman Catholic teachings but
would agree to a number of beliefs which he had previously disclaimed.
According to the testimony of Father Balaguer, following the signing of
the Retraction a prayer book was offered to Riza;. “He took the prayer
book, read alowly those acts, accepted them, and took the pen and said
“Credo’ ( I believe) he signed the acts with his name in the book itself.