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The Authenticity and Significance of Rizal's Alleged Retraction Document, Summaries of History
The controversy surrounding Rizal's alleged retraction document from his anti-Catholic views. Historians report that Rizal retracted his anti-Catholic ideas through this document, but its authenticity is questioned due to the lack of a certificate of Rizal’s Catholic marriage and conflicting versions of the text. The original document was never shown to the public, and experts cannot verify its age, the veracity of Rizal’s signature, or the authenticity of his penmanship. The document bears conflicting dates, and some believe that the number '0' in the date was altered to make it look like a 'C'. The implications of this retraction on Rizal's image as a hero are also discussed.
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Did Rizal die anti- Catholic, propagandist and mason or did he denounce his membership before his execution? Is the retraction document genuine or not? Is his retraction something he willfully did or something that he was forced to do in complacency to his old professors? Will the image of Rizal as a hero change if he made the retraction letter?
- Several historians report that Rizal retracted his anti-Catholic ideas through a document which stated: “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.” However, there are doubts of its authenticity given that there is no certificate of Rizal’s Catholic marriage to Josephine Bracken.
Why are these documents
considered questionable?
First, the original document was never shown to the public. Only photocopies of the said document were presented. If only the Catholic Church be able to release the original documents, experts can scientifically study it to ascertain: (1)its accurate age, (2) the veracity of Rizal’s signature and (3) the authenticity of his penmanship by comparing it to other historical documents.
Second, the said document is questioned because in both reproductions, there were conflicting versions of the text. Add to this the date of the signing was very clear in the original Spanish document which Rizal supposedly signed. The date was “December 29, 1890.” That would have been too early. Later, another supposedly original document surfaced, it bears the date “December 29, 189C”. The number “0” was evidently altered
If you believe in the legend of the man, then there should be no doubt that he didn’t retract., but if instead you believe that Rizal was a man, it does not matter if he recanted or not. Considering his main goal was freedom, they would’ve killed him no matter which religion he was.