Geocallo, Arjohn G.

ECE -2

SS - 14/A1
Rizal's Retraction Document

Do you think that Rizal retracted? This is a question that bothers several historians and
academicians which is eventually a controversial issue about our national Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
There are proofs that Rizal retracted and eventually evidences that Rizal did not. I will lay down
specific arguments that say Rizal did retract before the day he was shot in Bagumbayan. The
major and alarming evidence is the document of retraction which consists of the acts of faith,
hope and charity towards the Catholic Church by Rizal and signed by him. Different testimonies
prove that Rizal truly retracted according to the people involved during that time such as Father
Vicente Balaguer. He is one of the Jesuits who were there watching Rizal, taking the oath of
retraction, accepting the prayer book and finally signing the documents of retraction. Another
thing is the love of his life, Josephine Bracken, in which if Rizal will agree and sign the
document of retraction he will be married with a Roman Catholic Wedding that will be done
immediately. Also, all of his malpractices and misconduct to the Catholic Church and to Spain
will disappear and be forgotten. The given arguments were truly remarkable that makes the
validity of information and testimonies given by the specific witnesses during Rizal's time hard
to contest. According to historians, there are 11 witnesses that can prove that Rizal became an
ally for the Spain. When Rizal was in Dapitan, he was planning to join the Spaniard troops in
Cuba to became a army doctor during the war. But eventually he was captured and was sent to
Fort Santiago. With this statement, I can say that there is a possibility that Rizal did retract and
the witnesses were right with their testimonies. The witnesses also said that Rizal wrote his letter
of retraction, signed a prayer book and even recites Catholic prayers during that time. Hence,
there is a big chance that Jose Rizal did retract before his execution.

Many contest that the testimonies given by the eye-witnesses were just a makeup story to
which they want to criticize Rizal's loyalty and love for his own country. For some, Rizal did not
retract in which several unanswerable questions were brought out during the controversy and
even to various debates. These are the arguments that show Rizal's retraction is not valid and
true. First is the copy of the retraction document that was signed by Rizal. It was published in
newspapers and run through the media after Rizal's death. But just so happen that when Rizal's
family asked for the indigenous copy, the Jesuits told that the original paper of Retraction was
lost. After several years the original copy was found and they examine the handwriting, the
message, and the signature of Jose Rizal. The next argument is that, people say that the retraction
paper of Rizal was just a product of forgery. They say that the way the retraction document was
written, was not Rizal's handwriting but the signature attach to it was the authenticated one. The
textual content of the letter was also a big issue where in the retraction that came out during 1935
was different from the retraction document laid by Father Balaguer. Another thing is the wedding
that happened between Jose Rizal and Josephine Bracken, the witnesses elaborate that Rizal and
Bracken got married after Rizal's signing in the document. However, when people asks "Where
is the marriage contract of Rizal and Bracken?" which eventually can't answer by Father
Balaguer. Lastly is the decision made that Rizal should be saved in his execution, and yet Rizal
perish with his last breathe. The defend of the witnesses is that it is the government who killed
Rizal, like what happen to the GomBurZa. Even the 3 are parish officials; they are not exempted
in the laws and regulations of the government of Spain. Rizal's advocacy in life contradicts the
retraction paper which will disclaim all of Rizal's belief towards Catholic Church.

As for me, based on the two given facts about the retraction controversy of Rizal, I stand
that the retraction paper was a tool to condemn and attack Rizal's character for being a National
Hero of the Philippines. I know that the witnesses stand is hard to contest but several questions
were formed in my mind which eventually dispute and challenge the testimonies given by them.
It lacks inadequate informationthat simply tries to block and criticize Jose Rizal. One argument is
the marriage contract of Jose Rizal and Josephine Bracken. If Rizal was married, there should be
a proof in which we can rely on. Another thing is, if Rizal contemplates with the Catholic Church
why should he die in front of everybody. Without a proper burial and kept the secrecy of his
body interment, I think it is against the Catholic Law. With the attitude that Rizal shows through
his writing, I can say that he cannot stand to turn back to his country that we have today.

With all these issues and controversies thrown about the retraction of Rizal, I think they
just want to destroy the image that was laid to Dr. Jose Rizal as a national hero. But come to
think of it, even though Rizal retracted that time, it doesn't affect the learning and the advocacy
that he brought in our country. Without his wise words and sharp sayings, do you think that we
can start boldness in ourselves and stand up for our rights. To sum it all up, this issue did not
hinder us from idolizing our National Hero which today, we continue to know Dr. Jose Rizal's
thinking that "a pen is mightier than a sword" attitude. Education is the key of success and one's
future which definitely the goal of Rizal to each and every Filipino living in the Philippines.

REFERENCES:

https://puchikamalucho.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/did-jose-rizal-retract/
https://monkshobbit.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/fr-marciano-m-guzman-on-the-retraction-andconversion-of-jose-rizal/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/181351754/Rizal-Retraction-Controversy-docx#scribd