Question

Regarding the retraction of Rizal, Which among the accounts or analyses do you consider the most convincing and reliable? Why?

Answer 1

• Rizal’s extraction from religious error has been a very controversial claim since it was first brought up. In it, Rizal disowns all his life’s work. In the supposed retraction document, he is alleged to have written:
• “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.”
• This document is critical as Rizal became the inspiration of the Katipunan which advocated for Philippine Independence. Ironically enough, Rizal was not really pro-independence himself. He is aware that as of the time he was in, the people are not yet ready to launch a fight for independence and any attempt will just result in heavy losses and suffering to the people. He was an advocate of better treatment for the people, representation in the Spanish Cortes, and education for the people - presumably to better prepare the people for Independence. When the Katipunan visited him in Dapitan, he himself emphasized it to Dr. Pio Valenzuela. However, when pressed further, he advised that should a revolution be unavoidable, to at least have the rich be neutral as they could easily turn the tide on the revolutionaries. He even suggested that they contact his friend, Antonio Luna (who is also by then still pro reform instead of pro independence).
• By showing a retraction document, the Spanish authorities are hoping that Rizal’s death will not become a rallying cry for the Filipinos in the quest for independence. They fear it so much that the authorities even broke a promise to the Rizal family to release the body to them after the execution and instead dumped his body on a secret, unmarked grave.