Retraction of Jose Rizal Historical Context Jose Rizal

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896).

Reason: Convicted of Sedition Rizal was arrested, tried, and sentenced by death by a Spanish court-
martial after being implicated as a leader of the Philippine Revolution. The night before his death by
firing squad at the Luneta on December 30, 1986, accounts exist that Rizal allegedly retracted his
Masonic ideals and his writings and reconverted to Catholicism following several hours of persuasion by
Jesuit priest. There were considerable doubts to this allegation by Rizal’s family and friends until in 1935,
the supposed retraction document with Rizal’s signature was found. Until today, the issue whether Rizal
retracted or not and whether the document is forged or real is a subject of continuous debate between
historians and Rizal scholars alike. The following primary sources are of two kinds: the first two are the
official accounts as witnessed by the Jesuits who are instrumental in the alleged retraction of Rizal. The
other two are critical analysis by two Rizalist Scholars who doubted the story of retraction.

 Fr. Vicente Balaguer’s Statement

Vicente Balaguer, S.J. – A Jesuit missionary, who became friends with Rizal during his days in Dapitan.
One of the Jesuit priests who visited Rizal during the last hours in Fort Santiago and claimed that he
managed to persuade Rizal to denounce Masonry and return to the Catholic fold. In an affidavit
executed in 1917 when he had returned to Spain, Balaguer also claimed that he was the one who
solemnized the marriage of Josephine Bracken and Rizal hours before the hero’s execution. Brought out
the shorter and more concise formula (retraction) of Fr. Pio Pi. He finished writing the retraction when it
was half past eleven and was dated December 29. The retraction was signed together with Dr. Rizal,
Señor Juan del Fresno (Chief of the Picket), and Señor Eloy Moure (Adjutant of the Plaza).

 Fr. Pio Pi’s Statement

Society of Jesus oh the Philippines, Superior Made a shorter retraction statement of Rizal.

 Rafael Palma’s Critical Analysis

Lawyer, writer, educator, and Politician (Former Senator of the Philippines). Author of Biografia de Rizal
(Literary work on life of the National Hero which won a literary contest in 1938 sponsored by the
Commonwealth Government)

Palma’s critical analysis:

1. The document of Retraction was kept in secret so that no one except the authorities was able to
see it at the time. Only copies of it were furnished the newspapers, but with the exception of
one person, nobody saw the original. In fact, the original was kept in such a way that it was not
found until thirty years had transpired.
2. When the family of Rizal asked for the original of said document or a copy of it as well as a copy
of the certificate of canonical marriage with Josephine Bracken, both petitions were denied.
 3. Rizal’s burial was kept secret, the cadaver having been delivered to the members of a Catholic
association friendly to the friars instead of being delivered to the family, who had claimed it.
4. Rizal meant for the Filipinos and of what his conversion meant, no masses were said for his soul
or funeral held by the Catholics.
5. The claim that Rizal was reconciled with the Church, he was not buried in the cemetery of Paco
but in the ground without any cross or stone to mark his grave. Only the diligence of the family
(Narcisa) was able to identify the spot where he was buried.
6. The entry in the book burials of the interment of Rizal’s body is not made on the page with
those buried on December 30, 1896, where there were six entries, but on a special page
wherein those by special orders of the authorities appear. Thus, Rizal figures on a page between
a man who burned to death and who could not be identified and another who dies by suicide; in
other words, he was considered among person who died impenitent and did not receive
spiritual aid.
7. There was no normal motive for conversion.

 Austin Coates’ Critical Analysis

Assistant Colonial Secretary and Magistrate in Hong Kong in 1950. His first study on Rizal was on the
latter’s year-long stay in Hong Kong (1891 – 1892). Author of the book Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and
Martyr (Oxford Press University, 1956)

The analysis:

1. Those who had read Rizal’s books or who knew him closely, which at that time meant the
family and his wide circle of personal friends, most of whom were abroad, took one at the
announcement and dubbed it… an ecclesiastical fraud.
2. Rizal believed that there was a strong like hood of fraud, and that the prime movers in this
would be the friar archbishop. It was the friars who wanted his retraction.
3. Certainly there was no signed letter of retraction. Rizal knew too well the damage such a
letter would do him, besides he believed before God he had nothing to retract to.
4. The Jesuits had been entrusted by the Archbishop with the spiritual care of the condemned
man; and it was their responsibility, if they were satisfied that he had died and confessed,
to see he was buried decently. This two Jesuits at the execution did not do.
5. The Rizal Family found it difficult to accept either the retraction or the marriage.
6. In Balaguer’s account he made no mention of the Mi Ultimo Adios.
7. The following morning only letters, books, and an alcohol burner remained to be disposed
of by the authorities, he erroneously concluded that no poem had been written and thus
made no mention of it in his account, thereby revealing the truth, which was that he was
not within Fort Santiago during the middle of that last night, and had no knowledge of
what was then taking place.
  BELIEVERS OF RIZAL’S RETRACTION:
1. Nick Juaquin, writer
2. Leon Maria Guerrero III
3. Gregorio Zaide, author of history books
4. Guillermo Gomez Rivera Ambeth Ocampo, author of history books
5. John Schumaker Antonio Molina Paul Duval Austin Craig, historian
6. Teodoro Kalaw, 33rd degree mason and handwriting expert
7. H. Otley Beyer
8. UP Professor Jose Del Rosario
9. UP Professor Fr. Marciano Guzman, great grandnephew of Rizal
10. Fr. Vicente Balaguer, A Jesuit Missionary
11. Fr. Pio Pi, Society of Jesus of the Philippines, Superior
12. Dr. Ausgusto de Vierra, UST Dept of History

 NON-BELIEVERS OF RIZAL’S RETRACTION:

1. Ricardo Pascual, a historian
2. Sen. Rafael Palma, former UP President and prominent mason
3. Frank Laubach, a Protestant minister
4. Austin Coates, a British Writer
5. Ricardo Manapat, National Archives Director
6. Tomas U. Santos, a historian
7. Jose Victor Torres, history professor of De La Salle University

 Fr. Vicente Balaguer

He is a Jesuit priest who claimed that he conveyed to convince Rizal to denounce Masonry and return to
Catholic fold In 1917, an affidavit executed that proves he was who solemnized the marriage of Jose
Rizal and Josephine Bracken.

 Fr. Vicente Balaguer’s Statement

1. In December 9, 1896, Father Villaclara and Fr. Vicente went to Fort Santiago and Fr. Vicente
conceive that Rizal must make a retraction of errors and a profession of Catholic faith before
ministering the Sacraments to him.
2. The Archbishop gave it to Fr. Vicente the formula of retraction and profession of faith
written by Father Pio Pi
3. According to Rizal, his rule of faith is the word of God that can be seen in the sacred
scriptures.
4. Rizal declared himself as a rationalist freethinker.
5. “Father, do not proceed. That style is different from mine. I cannot sign that because it
should be understood that I am writing it myself.” –Rizal
6. “That style is simple as mine. Don’t bother, Father, to read it all. Dictate what I ought to
profess and express, and I shall write, making any case some remarks.
 7. The retraction was signed together with Senor Fresno. Chief of the Picket and Senor Moure,
Adjutant of Plaza.
8. Father Balaguer testified that on the very day of Rizal’s death, he wrote everything and
preserved the account that serve as the data of presentation his narration.
9. Father Balaguer also shared that before Dr. Rizal reached the Bagumbayan or Luneta today,
he went to Ateneo and delivered the aforementioned document to Father Pio and at the
same day brought it to the Palace and hand it over to Archbishop Nozaleda.

 Fr. Pio Pi
1. Father Pio Pi Y Vidal, S.J.
2. Superior of the Jesuits in the Philippines in 1896
3. Issued and affidavit about his involvement to Rizal’s Retraction
4. Published the account that he made in Manila in 1909 La Muerte Cristianadel Doctor Rizal
5. Confirmed his account in a Notarial Act signed in Barcelona, April 07, 1917
6. His shorter document was accepted by Father Vicente Balaguer

 Fr. Pio Pi’s Statements

1. The fathers in the chapel received a letter for them to accept and took care of Dr. Rizal who
is considered a convict back.
2. The fathers followed what is written in the letter not because they are from the higher office
but because they want to save the soul of Dr. Rizal who is their most eminent and beloved
pupil.
3. Father Pio Pi hasn’t visited nor talk to Dr. Rizal while he was staying in the chapel before
accompanying him by the other fathers to the Bagumbayan.
4. The Bagumbayan is the place of execution of Rizal. Dr. Rizal had a long and very meaningful
conversation with Father Balaguer.
5. Rizal surrendered willingly and completely to his faith with the lord and the Christian
sentiments
6. When the retraction was about to be started, there have been a conflict between rather
Balaguer and Archbishop about the composition that they have made
7. Father Balaguer wrote the modification by his hand and signed beneath Rizal’s signature,
chief of the Picket, Juan del Fresno and the Adjutant of the plaza, Eloy Moure who was the
Witness
8. Rizal took the document by his hand and knelt down the altar of the chapel.
9. Father Pio did not know Rizal and did not come to see him when he was on their Church, but
he knew what was happening and the proceedings of Rizal's execution through his fellow
Fathers
10. Regarding the conflicts conversation from his anti- Catholic ideas, the Jesuit priests were
able to persuade him very easily, and so Rizal surrendered willingly and completely to the
faith again.
11. He copied and modified his own retraction document and signed it together with the two
witnessed. After that, Dr. Rizal went to the altar and knelt down and read this document
aloud
 Rafael Palma
1. Rafael Palma was the author of Biografia de Rizal
2. He’s a politician, lawyer, writer and an educator
3. He won a literary contest in 1938 sponsored by commonwealth government because of his
book
4. Publication of book was postponed due to WWII and was only print in 1949
5. The book was translated in English on the same year by Roman Ozaeta and with a title Pride
of Malay race, it was published by prentice hall in the US.

 Rafael Palma’s Statement

1. After Rizal died, all the allegations of him retracting his documents were false or a forgery for
Rafael Palma
2. Taviel de Andrade was the defense counsel of Rizal
3. For Palma, the testimony of the conversion of Rizal was just a mere rumor
4. The document of retraction was kept secret so that no one was able to see it except the
authorities
5. The certificate of canonical marriage with Josephine Bracken were denied
6. Rizal's burial was kept secret
7. There were no masses were said for his soul or funeral held by the Catholics
8. Rizal was not buried in the Catholic cemetery of Paco
9. Rizal considered who died impenitent and did not receive spiritual aid
10. Extraordinary or abnormal acts of a person are always to some reason or rational motive
11. For him, Rizal's conversion was a pious fraud to make the people believe that the extraordinary
man broke down and succumbed before the church he had fought

 Believers of Rizal’s retraction had the following arguments:

1. The retraction document (letter) is authentic having judged by a foremost handwriting
expert, Teodoro Kalaw and experts are known and recognize in our courts of justice.
2. Eleven (11) witnesses saw Rizal wrote his retraction, signed a Catholic prayer book and
recited Catholic prayers and kissed the crucifix before his execution.
3. Rizal’s 4 confessions were certified by 5 witnesses, 10 qualified witnesses, 7 newspapermen,
and 12 historians and writers.
4. Aglipayan bishops, masons, and anti-clerics witnessed Rizal’s signing of the retraction
document.
5. The head of the Spanish Supreme Court notarized his retraction letter.
6. Being a Catholic, he was buried inside the sacred grounds of Pako (now Paco) Catholic
Cemetery.
7. The retraction letter was not forged because witnesses were present while Rizal was signing
it.
8. Rizal retracted his masonry because he wanted to be at peace when he dies.
 9. Direct evidence which have a greater weight need to prove Rizal’s retraction than just
circumstantial evidence.

 Non-believers of Rizal’s retraction ha the following arguments:

1. There is no certificate of Rizal’s catholic marriage to Josephine Bracken
2. There is an allegation that the retraction document was a forgery. There are two versions of the
retraction letter with some words missing in the second document. Which document is
authentic? Were these documents written in Spanish, English, or Filipino? Since the signing of
the document, if it is true, would have been written in Spanish, not in English. There was no
mention that the original writing is Spanish and translated in English.
3. The document was not in Rizal’s own handwriting according to late Senator Palma.
4. The retraction letter is not in keeping with Rizal’s character and mature beliefs.

 Chronological Arrangement before Rizal’s Execution:

1. December 26, 1896 – A Spanish court martial found Jose Rizal guilty for sedition and sentenced
him to death.
2. December 28, 1896 – It was decided that Rizal will be executed by musketry, Governor-General
Camillo Polavieja confirmed the sentence.
3. December 28, 1896 – Teodora Alonzo wrote the Governor-General asking for clemency for her
son.
4. December 28, 1896 – At Malacañan Palace, Rizal’s sisters pleaded to Governor-General
Polavieja: stay Rizal’s execution.
5. December 29, 1896 – Rizal was read his death sentence.
6. December 29, 1896 – Rizal was visited by several priests including Fr. Faura, S.J.
7. December 29, 1896 – Rizal wrote his last letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt which read: My dear
Brother, when you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot;
but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience. Adieu,
my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me!
8. Fort Santiago, 29 December 1896 José Rizal Regards to the whole family, to Sra. Rosa, Loleng,
Conradito, and Federico. I leave a book for you as my remembrance.
9. December 29, 1896 – Teodora Alonzo paid her final visit to Rizal. She was accompanied by her
daughter, Trinidad Mercado.
10. December 29, 1896 – Rizal’s sisters were allowed to pay him visits. He gave them his worldly
possessions: Narcisa – Wicker Chair Angelica, niece – Handkerchief Mauricio, nephew – Belt,
watch, and chain Trinidad – Alcohol Burner with Mi Ultimo Adios
11. December 30, 1896, 6:30am – Rizal was brought to the execution site from Fort Santiago.
12. December 30, 1896, 7:03 a.m. – Rizal was executed by musketry.
13. December 30, 1896 – After the execution, Rizal’s body was brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital.
14. December 30, 1896 – Rizal’s remains were buried in the Paco Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
15. Rizal’s sister, Narcisa, searched suburban graveyards for where Jose Rizal was buried. She
eventually discovered that he was buried in Paco Park. She marked the plot with the letters
R.P.J. (Rizal’s initials in reverse)
16. August 17, 1898 – Rizal’s remains were exhumed and brought to the Rizal family house in
Binondo.