Republic Act 1425, or commonly known as the Rizal law which states that both public and

private schools, colleges and universities are to include courses on the life, works, and writings of the
National Hero, Jose Rizal. During the process of the amendment of this law, there have been numerous
debates and issues which spurred the question of whether it is another attack to the catholic church or
if it is eligible to promote nationalism and patriotism in the Philippines.

The Rizal Bill was written in the 1950s, a time when the Philippines was finally free from
colonizers such as the Spaniards and the Japanese. But why weren’t we experiencing growth and
prosperity? It might have been because we were ruled by foreigners for centuries and we lost touch of
what being a Filipino is which led to us gradually losing our identities. In Rizal’s works, he didn’t only
reprimand the colonizers, but also the colonized. He shows in his works the strengths and morality but
also of our shortcomings and weaknesses. This aims at making his intended audience, the people of the
future to learn from history and understand that it is our duty to honor and love our native land and
become better citizens who are ready to sacrifice anything to revive our freedom and identity once
again.

The Catholic Church was against the Rizal Bill for they worry about the possibility of apostasy of
the Catholic population. Their conservatism incorporates this principle - the avoidance of occasions of
sin. Considering that the two novels of Rizal, even now, are mistaken as a threat to the Catholic church
herself because it might subject for open interpretation especially without the right counsel. Just like
how our generation today is easily manipulated by fake news, peers, and social media rants. Rizal knew
that his novels would cause scandal and confusions and so he hoped that Filipinos would not label him
as a heretic. This means Rizal studied also the dogmas and doctrines of the Catholic Church. In fact,
there is a retraction letter from Jesus Cavanna, Rizal's Unfading Glory: A Documentary History of the
Conversion of Dr. José Rizal (Manila: 1983);

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.

There are several articles that says that this letter was a hoax and published by the Spaniards.
Also, considering the studies and conclusions written by Fr. Horacio De La Costa, Rizal never attacked
the Church, and the Church came to terms with Rizal as the builder of nation instead. Therefore, if Rizal
did not intend to attack the Church, what was there to retract of?

This would possibly explain the other conclusion of Fr. Jesus Cavanna, which he stated that
unless with ecclesiastical provision and familiarization of Catholic doctrines, the two novels could not be
read at all. Because he believed Rizal attacked the Church, but later retracted it.
 The prospects of Rizal’s retraction (whenever it is true or not) might be to clarify or support his
real intention for writing the two novels (which De la Costa concluded), or he really did attack the
Church herself and not only the crooked friars (which Cavanna concluded). In present times, these two
sides are still debating and looking their way through what Rizal exactly intended.

Either way, it is clear that he wanted only to point out the ignorance and even the indifference
of those he called his fellowmen, his nation. And his disagreement that he relatively specified in his two
novels does not mean that he hates the Church and the Filipinos. I believe he was considered a hero for
he loved both enough to expressively state the truth.