“The Retraction”

 C. “The Retraction”

Two texts have been published on this matter – the first was on December 30, 1986 in Diaro de Manila and La Voz Española; the second one was on February 14, 1897 in La 

Juventud. Both were said to be written by Fr. Balaguer. But an ‘alleged’ original copy was found by Fr. Manuel Garcia.

C.1. Here’s the alleged original copy found by Fr. Manuel Garcia, CM on May 18, 1935:

Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vi

vir y morir. 

Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos, inpresos 

y conducta ha habido contrario a mi cualidad de hijo de la Iglesia 

Catolica. Creo y profeso cuanto ella enseña y me somento a cuanto ella 

manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia, y 

como Sociedad prohibida por la Iglesia. Puede el Prelado Diocesano, como 

Autoridad Superior Eclesiastica hacer publica esta manifastacion espon

tanea mia para reparar el escandalo que mis actos hayan podido causar 

y para que Dios y los hombers me perdonen. 

Manila 29 de Deciembre de 1896 

Jose Rizal 

Translation:

[ C.M. on 18 May 1935

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. I believe and I confess whatever she teaches and I submit to whatever she demands. I abominate Masonr, as the enemy which is of the Church, ansd as a Society prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan Prelate may. as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public this spontaneous manifestation of mine in order to repaire the scandal which my acts may have caused and so that God and people may pardon me.

Manila 29 of December of 1896

Jose Rizal ]

C.2 Text from Fr. Balaguer in January 198:

Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vi

vir y morir. Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escri

tos, inpresos y conducta ha habido contrario a mi calidad de hijo de la 

Iglesia. Creo y profeso cuanto ella enseña y me somento a cuanto Ella 

manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia, y 

como Sociedad prohibida por la misma Iglesia. 

Puede el Prelado diocesano, como Autoridad superior eclesiastica hacer 

publica esta manifastacion espontanea mia, para reparar el escandalo 

que mis actos hayan podido causar, y para que Dios y los hombers me 

perdonen. 

Manila, 29 de Diciembre de 1896 

Jose Rizal 

Translation:

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. I believe and I confess whatever she teaches and I submit to 

whatever she demands. I abominate Masonry, as the enemy which is of 

the Church, and as a Society prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan 

Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public this 

spontaneous manifestation of mine in order to repair the scandal which 

my acts may have caused and so that God and people may pardon me. 

Manila 29 of December of 1896 

Jose Rizal