Did Jose Rizal Retract His Anti-Catholic Writings?

The question of whether José Rizal retracted his anti-Catholic writings and beliefs before his execution is a topic of significant historical debate. Known as a Filipino nationalist and a key figure in the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonial rule, Rizal's last testament continues to intrigue historians and the public alike, particularly the validity of a purported retraction document.

The Retraction Issue

The Document

It is claimed that Rizal signed a retraction document shortly before his execution, which supposedly renounced his earlier writings that were critical of the Catholic Church and expressed a desire to return to the Catholic faith. However, the authenticity of this alleged retraction has been contested, with some historians arguing that the document was coerced or that it was fabricated to portray Rizal as a martyr who returned to the Church.

Controversy

The primary evidence for the retraction comes from the accounts of the priests who were with Rizal in his final hours, as well as the retraction document itself. Nevertheless, critics point out inconsistencies and a lack of corroborating evidence. The authenticity of the purported retraction document remains a matter of debate.

Evidence

The document which is thought to have been signed by Rizal was allegedly kept secret and later only published in newspapers. When Rizal's family requested the original copy, it was said to have been lost. Some have questioned whether the Jesuits were negligent in managing the document or if it was deliberately hidden. Nine years after his execution, the original copy was found in the archdiocesan archives. Ricardo Pascual, Ph.D., given permission to examine the document, concluded in his book “Rizal beyond the Grave” that the document was a forgery.

No Rizal Did Not Retract

No Evidence

Although there were many opinions and evidences presented by various authors as to whether Rizal did or did not retract, there is no substantial proof or justification to support the claim that he did. The purported retraction paper, kept secret and only published in newspapers, is highly questionable. When Rizal’s family requested the original, it was said that it was lost.

Later Discovery

Thirteen years later, the original copy was found in the archdiocesan archives. Ricardo Pascual, Ph.D., who was given permission to examine the document, concluded in his book “Rizal beyond the Grave” that the documents presented were a forgery. The common rebuttal to this argument is that either Father Balaguer or Father Pi had made errors in reproducing the evidence. However, when Father Balaguer's statement was examined, there were no marriage certificates or public records to prove his claims.

Potential Reasons for No Retraction

Given that Rizal would still be executed regardless of his signing the retraction paper, as the judicial process involved was a purely military tribunal where civilian or church interference was uncommon and not allowed, Rizal would have known that even signing the retraction would not mitigate his penalty. The same fate would have been imposed on the three priests who were garroted years earlier, despite their continued affiliation with the Catholic Church.

Additional Controversies

Furthermore, when Rizal was still exiled in Dapitan, Father Sanchez, Rizal's favourite teacher from Ateneo, was sent by the Jesuit superiors to try to convince Rizal to retract in exchange for a professorship, a hundred thousand pesos, and an estate. However, Rizal rejected the offer. This further compels the belief that Rizal had no intention of retracting his anti-Catholic writings.

Regardless of the controversy surrounding the retraction issue, Rizal remains a national hero in the Philippines, and his writings continue to inspire discussions about nationalism, reform, and faith.