Chapter 9- The

Retraction
Controversy of
Rizal
 Text of Rizal’s Alleged
Retraction

I declare myself a Catholic and

in this religion in which I was
born and educated I wish to
live and died
I retract with all my heart
whatever in my words, writings
and publications
And conduct has been contrary
to my character as a son of the
Catholic Church. I believe and I
confess whatever she teaches
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
 4 Different Sources

1. December 30, 1896- 1st

text publish in La Voz
Española and Diaro de
Manila on the very day of
Rizal’s execution,
December 30,1896
2. December 31, 1896- 2nd
Text appeared in El Imparcial
after Rizal’s execution; short
formula of execution
3. February 4, 1897- 3rd text
appear in Barcelona, Spain on
February 14, 1897 in
magazine La Juventud-
anonymous writer but after
14 years revealed as Fr.
Balaguer
4. May 18, 1935- alleged
“original text”; discovered by
Fr. Manuel Garcia C.M., in
archdiocesan archives after it
disappear for 39 years from
the afternoon of December
31, 1896
 Analysis Rizal’s Retraction

Fr. Balaguer- said he receive

an exact copy of retraction
written and signed by Rizal
Received by Fr. Balaguer in
the evening preceding
Rizal’s execution
No one claimed to have
seen it except the publisher
of La Voz Española
May 18, 1935- lost original
document found but differ
from those found in Jesuits
and Archbishops copies
 Significant Difference
between copies

1. Instead of the words “ mi

cualidad” (with u) which
appear in original and
newspaper Jesuits copy
have “mi calidad” (without
you)
2. Jesuits copy omit the
Word “Catolica” after the first
“Iglesias” which are found in
original and newspaper texts
3. Jesuits copy add before the
third “Iglesias” the word
“misma” not found in original
newspaper
4. Fr. Balaguer text does not
begin the second paragraph
Until the fifth sentences while
the original copies start the
second paragraph immediately
with second sentences
5. Original text have 4
commas while Fr. Balaguer
copy has 11 commas
6. Fr. Balaguer copy did not
have the names of witness
From text of newspaper in
Manila
20 years later- Fr. Balaguer
name the witness Señor
Fresno, Chief of the Picket
and Señor Moure, Adjutant
of the Plaza
Fr. Balaguer- dictate to
Rizal the short formula, he
Receive 2 original copies
1. Changes which you was
made
2. That of the Archbishop
was the exact copy of the
retraction signed by Rizal
Not say it was signed by
Rizal and himself
Rizal in order to marry
Josephine Bracken require
to sign a profession of faith
to be approved by Cebu
Archbishop
 Rizal’s Handwriting

December 30,1896- 5am-

teary eyed Josephine
Bracken and Jose Rizal came
Agent of Cuerpo de
Vigilancia- Rizal and
Josephine were married
Josephine- gifted by Rizal
with classic Thomas a
Kempis book Imitations of
Christ in which he inscribe “
To my dear and unhappy
wife, Josephine, December
30,1896, Jose Rizal”
They embraced for the last
time