Reaction Paper: Rizal’s Retraction Controversy

"I retract with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications and conduct have
been contrary to my character as a son of the Catholic Church", this was the statement in a
document which made many historians and scholars believed that Dr. Jose P. Rizal retracted. For
decades the authenticity of his retraction have caused issues, skepticism and heated debates among
those who seek the truth.
Rizal’s retraction letter, dated December 29, 1896, was said to have been signed by the
National Hero himself. It stated: “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.” The
controversy whether the National Hero actually wrote a retraction document only lies in the
judgment of its reader, as no amount of proof can probably make the two opposing groups agree
with each other.
I personally believed, as a fellow Filipino citizen, that Dr. Jose P. Rizal had not retracted
his own writings and publications. In his long journey in writing his works that led to our
independence, I firmly believe that our National Hero has put convictions in his own writings.
After analyzing six major documents of Rizal, Ricardo Pascual, author of Rizal Beyond
The Grave, concluded that the retraction document, said to have been discovered in 1935, was not
in Rizal's handwriting. Senator Rafael Palma, a former President of the University of the
Philippines and a prominent Mason, argued that a retraction is not in keeping with Rizal's character
and mature beliefs. He called the retraction story a "pious fraud."
Some historians refer to 11 eyewitnesses when Rizal wrote his retraction, signed a Catholic
prayer book, and recited Catholic prayers, and the multitude who saw him kiss the crucifix before
his execution. A great grandnephew of Rizal, Fr. Marciano Guzman, cites that Rizal's
4confessions were certified by 5 eyewitnesses, 10 qualified witnesses, 7 newspapers, and 12
historians and writers including Aglipayan bishops, Masons and anti-clericals. One witness was
the head of the Spanish Supreme Court at the time of his notarized declaration and was highly
esteemed by Rizal for his integrity.
Because of what he sees as the strength these direct evidence have in the light of
the historical method, in contrast with merely circumstantial evidence, UP professor emeritus of
history Nicolas Zafra called the retraction "a plain unadorned fact of history." Guzman attributes
the denial of retraction to "the blatant disbelief and stubbornness" of some Masons.
Although there are many points stating the authenticity of the retraction letter written by
our National Hero, I personally believe that he didn’t retract. If this authentication letter is deemed
as an important document, how come it would disappear at that time and reappear after 39 years
later. Rizal fought for his own beliefs for many years and went through a lot of hardship just to
finish his writings and publications, not to mention the financial struggle he experienced.
Why would Rizal retract when he knows for a fact that even if he signs the retraction paper
he would still be executed? Rizal was accused of participating in filibusterous propaganda where
the penalty as provided by the Spanish Code is death. The same of what happened to the three
priests who were garroted years earlier, even though they were still a part of the church; they were
still treated as rebellious and were also not given a proper burial.
Rizal’s behavior during his last hours in Fort Santiago does not point to a conversion- the
Mi Ultimo Adios and letters- or indicate even a religious instability. In the evening where his sister
and mother arrived, never had he mentioned about the retraction, contrary to what Father Balaguer
claimed that even in the afternoon, Rizal was oblivious and was asking for the formula of the
retraction.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal awakened our knowledge for nationalism. He was fixated of the thought
that he would die for the love of his country, he, himself had coveted death a long time ago. His
character speaks so loud that even all of Rizal’s friends do not believe that he have written a
retraction. Same as them, I believed that he has not retracted before his final moments. I always
believed in the conviction and teachings of our National Hero and as fellow Filipino citizen who
love our country, whatever further study that may emerge as to the truth about Rizal’s retraction
controversy, it detracts nothing from his greatness as a Filipino.