A NARRATIVE DISCUSSION ON THE RETRACTION OF RIZAL

DID RIZAL RETRACT??

Jose Rizal is widely recognized as a hero of the Philippine Revolution. His writings played a
crucial role in awakening Filipino national consciousness and encouraging people to fight against
Spanish colonial rule. Rizal’s works focused on ending colonialism and liberating Filipino minds
to contribute to the creation of a Filipino nation.

Rizal's Influential Works

Rizal dedicated much of his life to writing about the injustices in Philippine society. His most
influential works are the novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." These novels
exposed the abuses and corruption of Spanish colonial officials and friars in the Philippines. It is
important to note that Rizal did not attack the Catholic religion itself, but rather the friars who
were seen as the main agents of injustice.

The Controversial Retraction Document

A significant controversy surrounding Rizal's legacy is the existence of a document called "The
Retraction." This document, allegedly signed by Rizal a few hours before his execution on
December 30, 1896, states that Rizal retracted, or took back, everything he had written against
the Catholic Church. The retraction document declares Rizal's belief in the Catholic faith and his
desire to live and die as a Catholic. The document was found by Fr. Manuel Garcia, C. M. on
May 18, 1935.

Here is the translation of the retraction document:

"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 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."

- Manila 29 of December of 1896, Jose Rizal.

Versions of the Retraction Document

There are four known versions of the retraction text:

1. The first version was published in La Voz Española and Diario de Manila on the day of Rizal's
execution, December 30, 1896.

2. The second version appeared in a magazine called La Juventud in Barcelona, Spain, on

February 14, 1897. This version was written anonymously by Fr. Vicente Balaguer. The
"original" text of this version was found in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, nearly 40
years after Rizal's execution.

3. The third version is Fr. Balaguer's testimony, where he claimed that Rizal confessed multiple
times, attended mass, received communion, and prayed the rosary during his last hours. These
actions seemed out of character for Rizal, but Balaguer's account has been used to support the
authenticity of the retraction document.

4. The fourth account surfaced in 2016 through the research of Professor Rene R. Escalante. He
found documents from the Cuerpo de Vigilancia (a Spanish bodyguard group) that included a
report on Rizal's last hours, written by Federico Moreno. This report supported the existence of
the retraction document but did not mention Fr. Balaguer, making Balaguer's testimony a
secondary source.

The Ongoing Debate

The issue of Rizal's retraction continues to be a heated debate. Some believe that the retraction
document was fabricated by the friars to undermine Rizal's image as a hero. This theory is
supported by inconsistencies, such as differences in handwriting between the retraction
document and other writings by Rizal.

Others argue that whether Rizal retracted or not, it does not diminish his contributions to the
Philippine Revolution. Rizal's writings and ideas inspired many Filipinos to fight for their
freedom, which eventually led to the country's independence in 1898. His dedication to his
country and his efforts to expose the injustices of the colonial regime have solidified his place as
a national hero.
The Role of Fr. Pio Pi and Josephine Bracken

There are also claims involving other figures in Rizal's life. Fr. Pio Pi, a prominent figure during
the revolution, reportedly copied Rizal's retraction verbatim. Andres Bonifacio, another key
figure in the revolution, reported that Fr. Pio Pi suggested to Emilio Aguinaldo to stop the
agitation in exchange for a pardon.

Furthermore, there are doubts about the authenticity of an autobiography supposedly written by
Rizal's partner, Josephine Bracken, on February 22, 1897. The autobiography claimed that Rizal
and Josephine were married under Catholic rites, but there are noticeable differences between the
handwriting in this document and other letters written by Josephine to Rizal. This has led some
to believe that the autobiography was poorly forged.

Conclusion

The controversy over Rizal's retraction remains unresolved. Many scholars agree that the
existence of the retraction document, whether genuine or not, does not tarnish Rizal's heroism.
His significant contributions to the fight for Philippine independence and his role in inspiring a
nation to strive for freedom remain undisputed. Rizal's legacy continues to be a source of pride
and inspiration for Filipinos, regardless of the retraction controversy.