Rizal Retraction Notes

Jose Rizal Retraction Controversy

Background of Jose Rizal

  • Full name: Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Ryalonda.

  • Born: June 19, 1861.

  • Died: December 30, 1896 (Bagumbayan, now Luneta Park).

  • Notable works:

    • Noli Me Tangere

    • El Filibusterismo

    • Ultimo Adios (his last poem)

    • Annotated version of Antonio Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

  • Relationships:

    • Josephine Bracken

    • Baby Francisco (son, who died)

  • Last words: "It is finished."

Retraction Explained

  • Analogy: Resignation from a company.

    • Submitting a resignation letter.

    • Rendering a 30-day service.

    • Retracting the resignation: Submitting a retraction letter with reasons.

The Alleged Retraction of Rizal

  • Date: December 28, 1896.

  • Context: Rizal's alleged retraction of views against the Catholic Church.

  • Jesuit professors and Freemasons:

    • Jesuit professors and Free masonic groups did not agree with the type of government; against teachings with the church.

  • Key figures:

    • Vicente Balaguer

    • Jose Vilaclara

    • Estanislao March

Account of Vicente Balaguer

  • December 29, 1896, 11 AM: Balaguer claimed Rizal initially refused to sign the retraction paper because it was against the teachings of the Church and Holy Scriptures (Ten Commandments).

  • Alleged conditions:

    • Rizal demanded retraction of Josephine Bracken for marriage certificate.

Account Involving Father March

  • Conversation between Rizal and March regarding the retraction paper.

  • December 29, 1896, 5:30 PM: Don Silvino Lopez Tunion, Dean of Manila Cathedral, exchanged views with Rizal.

  • Historians claim alleged retraction.

Account Involving Father Faura

  • 7 PM: Father Federico Faura (Rizal's professor at Ateneo Municipal) visited Rizal.

  • Rizal reportedly confessed everything to Faura, being emotion-filled.

Account of Royal Audience

  • 9:30 PM: Rizal met with Gaspar Castano (fiscal of the Royal Audience of Manila).

  • They had a fruitful conversation.

Final Version of the Retraction Paper

  • Father Pio Pi (Superior of the Jesuit Mission in the Philippines) presented a shorter version of the retraction paper.

  • Rizal agreed with minor revisions.

  • 11:30 PM: Rizal signed the retraction letter, renouncing Freemasonry.

  • Witnesses: Wandel Fresno, Eloy Moray, Villa Clara, and March.

Doubts and Controversy

  • Historian Gregorio Zaide questioned the validity of the retraction paper.

  • 1935: The retraction paper resurfaced, creating controversy.

  • Possibility of a forged signature on the retraction paper.