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Collapse08 Conflicting Views in Philippine History: The Cavite Mutiny and The Martyrdom of

GOMBURZA

 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 8

 02A Lesson Proper for Week 8

 03B Analysis, Application, and Exploration for Week 8

 04A Generalization for Week 8

 05A Evaluation for Week 8

 06A Assignment for Week 8

Collapse09 Rizal’s Confession?

 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 9

 02A Lesson Proper for Week 9

 03B Analysis, Application, and Exploration for Week 9

 04A Generalization for Week 9

  05A Evaluation for Week 9

 06A Assignment for Week 9

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3. 223 - GE2

4. 09 Rizal’s Confession?

5. 02A Lesson Proper for Week 9

02A Lesson Proper for Week 9

The background of Rizal’s retraction was retrieved from Ricardo R. Pascual’s book “Dr. Jose
Rizal Beyond the Grave: A Vindication of the Martyr of Bagumbayan.”

On May 18, 1935, a document was discovered in the vault of the Archbishop of Manila by
Father Manuel Gracial. This document, among others, is the much debated "original" of Dr. Jose
Rizal's retraction of his anti-Catholic writings and propaganda and his affiliation to Masonry. With its
discovery, the Church and her devotees claim with a proud mien that this document, supposed and
believed to have been mislaid, was lying all the while in this "providential vault" - a very providential
omission according to the Catholics - only to be brought to light in this "providential hour." Thanks to
the Providential Hand that directed the events that way. It only seems too "providential" all the way
through.

Upon this discovery, many of the opposite opinions suggest some attending circumstances
that may discredit the execution "in good faith" of this priceless document. Some say it was forced
upon Rizal, and there are examples of forced retraction which are cited as proof. The usual answer
is that force does not fit the character of Rizal as a means to make him do something against his
will. This contention that force cannot be used upon Rizal because that hypothesis does not fit itself
with the character of Rizal, who cannot be coerced by force to do something much against his will, is
an ingenious argument, for indeed, Rizal was a person of manly character. However, it is also to
forget that despite his manly character, Rizal succumbed to force, however much he hated it. The
proof of this is his own forced death, which he protested against with his innocence.

Last Part of the Letter of Fr. Vicente Balaguer S.J. to Rev. Pio Pi
 Yes, my anger, I can affirm with full certainty and Your Reverence tell all the Manila
Christians and that entire country that Rizal was never irreligious or bigoted, never an enemy of the
Church; that he was a young man waylaid for some time by factors around him; that he was a good
patriot, and desired in good faith the welfare and the independence of his country; that he confessed
to me in the chapel that he had never approved armed revolution; that he had hoped to win
autonomy and later independence through legal means. However, deep in his heart, a good
Christian he was in the beginning and at the end of Christianity. Let them honor the memory of
Rizal, a good Christian at heart, the first hero of the Philippines.

For the full text of the letter of Fr. Vicente Balaguer S.J. to Rev. Pio Pi, visit this
link: http://www.philippinestudies.net/files/journals/1/articles/2013/public/2013-2112-1-PB.pdf.

Rene Escalante (2019) discussed two different versions of Rizal’s retraction.

An Excerpt of the Jesuit Version

Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Vilaclara visited Rizal in his prison cell around 10 a.m. Their interaction
began with a conversation about certain aspects of the Catholic faith, including the prominence of
faith over reason and the doctrinal differences between Catholics and Protestants. Recognizing time
constraints, they urged Rizal to shift his focus from theological discussions to preparing himself
spiritually for a peaceful passing, enabling entry into heaven. They emphasized their ability to
administer the necessary sacraments contingent upon his signing a retraction letter and professing
his faith. Fr. Balaguer noted that Rizal appeared somewhat moved upon hearing the warning that his
soul might be condemned to hell if he did not rejoin the Catholic Church. Stressing that salvation lay
exclusively within the Catholic Church, they departed around noon, leaving Rizal contemplating
whether to sign the retraction letter. They promptly reported the encounter to their superiors at the
archbishop's palace.

Returning at 3 p.m., the Jesuits continued to persuade Rizal to retract his beliefs, but he
remained steadfast. The third meeting occurred at 10 p.m., during which they presented Rizal with
two retraction drafts provided by Fr. Pi. Rizal found the initial draft unsuitable due to its length and
tone, deeming it incompatible with his personality. Consequently, Fr. Balaguer offered a shorter
alternative. However, Rizal hesitated to sign it, objecting to a statement condemning Masonry, citing
his positive encounters with London Masons who harbored no hostility toward Catholicism. He
sought to emphasize that Philippine Masonry didn't oppose Catholicism and that London Masonry
didn't require renunciation of one's faith. The Jesuits accommodated Rizal's revisions, and his final
retraction statement condemned Masonry as an adversary of the Church, a version Rizal found
acceptable. Before midnight, Rizal made minor amendments and signed the retraction letter, which
Fr. Balaguer handed over to Fr. Pi and submitted to Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda.

For the full text of the Jesuit version of Rizal's retraction, visit this
link: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/seas/8/3/8_369/_pdf.

An Excerpt of Cuerpo de Vigilancia Version

In his sworn statement, Fr. Balaguer recounted having three discussions with Rizal on
December 29, 1896. Their initial meeting occurred in the morning, lasting from 10 in the morning. To
12:30 p.m., during which he presented the retraction document to Rizal for his signature. Moreno
Jose Rizal, Phil. Revolution, Cuerpo de Vigilancia 381 corroborated this session, confirming the
introduction of the retraction draft to Rizal. However, Moreno reported that Rizal was conversing not
with Fr. Balaguer but with Fr. March and Vilaclara. Additionally, Moreno affirmed that Frs. March and
Vilaclara revisited Rizal around 3 p.m. Fr. Balaguer asserted in his affidavit that he was among the
afternoon visitors to Rizal. He added that the third conversation with Rizal occurred around 10 p.m.,
involving a prolonged and vigorous discourse lasting over an hour, during which Rizal eventually
signed the retraction letter. Moreno verified that Rizal had visitors post-dinner, naming Señor
Andrade, Señor Maure, Fr. March, and Vilaclara. Once again, Fr. Balaguer was omitted from this
account, with the meeting time being 9 p.m. instead of shortly before midnight. Furthermore,
Moreno's report did not detail any discussions regarding faith or retraction issues and concluded
with Rizal retiring for the night.

For the full text of Cuerpo de Vigilancia's version of Rizal's retraction, visit this
link: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/seas/8/8/8_369/_pdf.

Peter Jaynul V. Uckung (2012) discussed the authenticity of Rizal’s Retraction.

It was supposed to have been signed by Jose Rizal moments before his death. There were
many witnesses, most of whom were Jesuits. The document only surfaced for public viewing on May
13, 1935. It was found by Fr. Manuel A. Gracia at the Catholic hierarchy's archive in Manila.
However, the original document was never shown to the public; only reproductions were shown.

However, Fr. Pio Pi, a Spanish Jesuit, reported that as early as 1907, Rizal's retraction was
copied verbatim, published in Spain, and reprinted in Manila. Fr. Gracia, who found the original
document, also copied it verbatim.

In both reproductions, there were conflicting versions of the text. In addition, the signing date
was very clear in the original Spanish document, which Rizal supposedly signed. The date was
"December 29, 1890."

Later, another supposedly original document, bearing "December 29, 189C", surfaced. The
number "0" was altered to look like a letter C. Then, still later, another supposedly original version
came up. It has the date "December 29, 1896". This time, the "0" became a "6".

So which is which?

Those who strongly believed the faking of the Rizal retraction document reported that the
forger of Rizal's signature was Roman Roque, who also forged the signature of Urbano Lacuna,
which was used to capture Aguinaldo. The mastermind, they say, in both Lacuna's and Rizal's
signature forging was Lazaro Segovia. Spanish friars approached them during the final day of the
Filipino-American war to forge Rizal's signature.

This story was revealed by Antonio K. Abad, who heard the tale from Roman Roque himself,
them being neighbors.

To this day, the retraction issue is still raging like wildfire in the forest of the night.

Others would like to believe that the friars invented the purported retraction of Rizal to deflect
the heroism of Rizal, which was centered on the friar's abuses.

Incidentally, Fr. Pio Pi, who copied Rizal's retraction verbatim, also figured prominently during
the revolution. It was him, Andres Bonifacio reported, who had intimated to Aguinaldo the cessation
of agitation in exchange for pardon.

There are also not a few people who believe that the autobiography of Josephine Bracken,
written on February 22, 1897, is also forged badly. The document supposedly written by Josephine
herself supported the fact that they were married under the Catholic rites. But upon closer look, there
is a glaring difference between the document's penmanship and other letters Josephine wrote to
Rizal.

Surely, we must put the question of retraction to rest; though Rizal is a hero, whether he
retracted or not, we must investigate if he did a turn-around. If he did not, and the documents were
forgeries, then somebody has to pay for trying to deceive a nation.

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Additional Learning Materials 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 8 02A
Lesson Proper for Week 8 03B Analysis, Application, and Exploration for Week 8
04A Generalization for Week 8 05A Evaluation for Week 8 06A Assignment
for Week 8 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 9 03B Analysis, Application,
and Exploration for Week 9 04A Generalization for Week 9 05A Evaluation
for Week 9 06A Assignment for Week 9

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