Historical Discrepancy:
ON THE ISSUE OF RIZAL’S RETRACTION
"Did Dr. Jose Rizal died as a CATHOLIC or a MASON?"
Group 3
TTh 12:00-1:30PM
Pizon, Tresha Mae
Melindo, Justine
Moria, Mike Angelo
Morata, Leila
Cellan, Veronica
Pia, Recy
Morata, Liven
THESIS SUPPORTING RETRACTION
“Rizal died a Catholic and retracted his Masonic views.”
By the Roman Catholic Church
The Retraction document is the chief witness to the reality of the Retraction itself, since its
discovery in 1935. The burden of proof rests with those who question the retraction.
Evidences summed by Father Cavanna (1956) cited by Hessel (1965) at Siliman University
Rizal recited and signed the prayer book entitled Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity. This
book was offered to Rizal after his signing of Retraction document according to Father
Balaguer. Part of what Rizal signed states,
"I believe in God the Father, I believe in God the Son, the Holy Ghost, Three
distinct persons and only one true God….I believe that the Roman Pontiff, Vicar of
Jesus Christ, Visible head of the Church, is the pastor and Teacher of all
Christians…. Since God who can neither deceived nor be deceived, has so
revealed it; and in this faith I wish to live and die.
The testimony of the press at the time of the event, the eyewitnesses, especially those
who were closely associated with events, like the head of the Jesuit order, attested that
Rizal did retract and sign a retraction document.
Rizal performed acts of piety during his last hours as testified by the witnesses.
The Church through the Jesuits, solemnized Rizal’s marriage to Josephine Bracken, as
attested by witnesses. The Catholic church will not officiate a marriage ceremony
without Rizal’s retraction of his religious errors.
ANTI-THESIS OF RIZAL’S RETRACTION
The long formula of the retraction, which came out in 1935, would require Rizal to adhere
against his conscience to the Syllabus of errors of Pope Pius IX.
According to Moreno, Fr. March was instrumental in making Rizal write the Retraction
before 4 pm on Dec 29, 1896 but according to Fr. Balaguer, he defeated Rizal in debate on
many topics until late afternoon and helped him write the retraction at 10 pm while Fr.
Faura was said to persuade Rizal to write the retraction. ALL THESE TESTIMONIES
CONTRADICTED ONE ANOTHER.
No newspaper reported the presence of Fr. Balaguer in Fort Santiago and no eyewitness
saw him debating with Rizal.
Rizal wrote a retraction without signing it. He did not regard Masonry as enemy of Church.
RIZAL’S DRAFT OF RETRACTION WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHURCH.
Only the friars claimed to have seen the original document of retraction.
The Retraction document is a forgery.
Pascual: Handwriting is questionable, as only one man prepared it.
Supporting evidence: Confession of forger to Antonio Abad on August 13, 1901,
employed by friars to make several copies of the retraction document.
Arguments cited by Hessel (1965)
Other acts and facts do not fit well with the story of retraction:
The retraction document was not made public until 1935. Even members of Rizal’s
family did not see it.
No effort was made to save Rizal from death penalty after saying his retraction.
Rizal’s burial was kept secret. He was buried outside the inner wall of Paco Cemetery.
The record of his burial was not placed on the page of entries of December 30th but on
a special page, where at least one other admitted non-penitent is recorded.
There is no marriage certificate or public record of Rizal’s marriage with Josephine
Bracken.
Rizal’s behavior did not point to conversion during his last 24 hours. His Ultimo Adios
and letters he wrote during his remaining hours do not indicate conversion.
The Retraction is out of character. It is not in keeping with Rizal’s character and faith. It is
incongruent with his previous assertions and declarations of religious thought.
SYNTHESIS
This issue neither adds nor diminishes his greatness as a Filipino. His contribution to nation
building makes the people revere him.
“Catholic or Mason, Rizal is still Rizal; the hero who courted death to prove those who deny
our patriotism that we know how to die for our duty and our beliefs.”
