Laws on Rizal

There are at least two Republic Acts and two Memorandum Orders pertaining to Jose Rizal:

Republic Act No. 1425

The Rizal Law

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 - AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL,
PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TÁNGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING
AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

•WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

•WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

•WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

•WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and
to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

Section 1.

Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tángere and El Filibusterismo of their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers, and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
act,promulgate rules and regulations including those of disciplinary nature,to carry out and enforce the
provisions of this act

The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of
religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in
the second part of the first paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after
their publication in the Official Gazette.

Sec. 2.

It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges, and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges, and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon
the enrollment of the school, college, or university.

Sec. 3.

The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo,
as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog, and the principal Philippine dialects; cause
them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to
persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the
country.

Sec. 4.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of
the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and
other person engaged in any public school.

Sec. 5.

The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not
otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 6.

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1956

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS
NOLI ME TÁNGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and
to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tángere
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tángere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the
provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of
students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the
provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the
course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty
(30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books depending upon
the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils
throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public
school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of
any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

The historical background and context of the 1950s relate to the intentions that the law seeks to
address. By reminding the youth of the ideals of nationalism and patriotism, they are expected to help
the government by applying the lessons of the course to solve the present-day problems. In the 1950s
where massive youth recruitment to join the left was prevalent, the desire to bring back the ideals of
patriotism and nationalism becomes the government’s campaign to strengthen the democracy of the
republic. Thus, the passage of the bill was timely and relevant during that period in history. The bill,
therefore, sets the following objectives:

To re-dedicate the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which the heroes lived and died;

To honor particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, who devoted his life and works that have
shaped the national character; and

To be a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during
their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused.

To achieve these objectives, the bill also suggested ways on how the educational institutions are
expected to implement the law to foster moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and
duties of citizenship among the youth. The following are the specific mandates of the law:

Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private;

It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges, and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tángere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography; and

The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo,
as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause
them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to
persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the
country.

With these objectives and specific mandates, the government intends that the life, works, and writings
of Rizal be our guide to combat not only the ill effects of communism but also for the youth not to forget
Dr. Jose Rizal. This course will be our constant reminder of how our forefathers envisioned an
independent state that is free from any colonial master, free from oppression and enshrines the ideals
of democracy and freedom. The youth, therefore, is expected to help the government and partake in
nation-building with the same passion and ideals that Rizal was able to share during his lifetime. His life
is an inspiration for the youth to look forward and make use of the events in history as our guiding
principle to create a positive impact in the present .Going back to our question earlier .Why should we
never forget Rizal?.Rizal is our constant reminder of the blessings of independence and democracy .

Part 2: The Issues and Debates of RA 1425 in the Context of the 1950s
Apart from the political and social issues happening to the world and the Philippines in the 1950s, the
passage of the Rizal law was also marred with rejections and the controversy we have today regarding
the passage of the Anti-Terror Act of 2020 resembles a similar raging issue when the Rizal Law was
passed in the 1950s. These specific mandates of the law became the source of numerous debated
readings. As a general rule, before a bill becomes a law, it has to pass three separate readings. However,
upon its second reading, the bill was further scrutinized, debated and argued upon. The intense debate
became one of the controversial bills in Philippine history. The Rizal Law was first authored by Senator
Claro M. Recto while Senator Jose P. Laurel Sr. sponsored the bill in the Senate. However, the bill
sparked numerous debates in the Senate that revolved around the separation of church and state
issues. This primarily focused on Section 2 of the law stating that students should be read the
“unexpurgated editions” of the novels. Meaning, the novel should its unedited, complete, and
uncensored version. Further, the Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo raised multiple issues coming
from the Catholic Church on the clear separation between the Church and the state .In the statement
released by the Catholic Bishops Conference in the Philippines (CBCP) last April 21, 1956, signed by
Father Rufino J. Santos, D.D., they cited several violations of the novels on the free exercise of religion
that in turn would seriously injure the Catholic faith and its believers (“Statement of the Philippine
Hierarchy on the Novels of Dr.Jose Rizal |CBCP"online " 1956)The following contentions were raised by
CBCP.

Statement of the Philippine Hierarchy on the Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal

Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo

Among the many illustrious Filipinos who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country,
the highest place of honor belongs to Dr. Jose Rizal. And justly so; for Rizal possessed to an eminent
degree those virtues which together make up true patriotism. He loved his country not in word alone
but in deed. He devoted his time, his energies and the resources of his brilliant mind to dispelling the
ignorance and apathy of his people and combating the injustices and inequalities under which they
labored. When these salutary activities fell under the suspicion of the colonial government and he was
condemned to death as a rebel, he generously offered his blood for the welfare of his country.

But although his love for his country was great, it was not a blind, unreflecting love. It was not the
inordinate love which so often passes for patriotism, whereby one regards one's native country as
perfect beyond criticism, and attributes all its ills to the tyranny and greed of strangers. Rizal's balance of
judgment saved him from this pernicious error. He clearly saw and boldly proclaimed the fact that while
the Filipino people suffered from colonial rule, they were as much the victims of their own vices and
defects. In dedicating his novel, Noli Me Tangere, to his beloved country, he addressed her as follows:
Desiring your health which is also ours, and seeking the best means of restoring it, I shall do with you
what the ancients did with their sick; they brought them to the steps of the temple that all who came to
invoke the god might stop to suggest a remedy. I shall lift a portion of the bandage which hides the
disease, sacrificing all to the truth, even my personal pride, for us a son of yours I am not exempt from
your defects and weaknesses. Thus, while Rizal was fearless in denouncing the evils of the colonial
administration of his time, he was no less fearless in pointing out to his countrymen "our own mistakes,
our own vices, our supine and culpable acquiescence to these evils."

It will not be out of place in this connection to suggest that the affectionate realism with which Rizal
regarded his country and his people should characterize our own attitude towards Rizal himself. The fact
that he is our national hero by no means obliges us to approve of all that he said or did. As one of our
most illustrious senators said on the floor of the Senate a few days ago: "I do not say that Rizal did not
make any mistake, did not commit any error in judgment or in the appreciation or in the presentation of
facts or in the criticism which he had launched. You can always find passages in his works that are
perhaps objectionable. And if I were to be given time and opportunity, to discuss page by page these
different passages I could say that I will also differ from many statements which he made." We believe
that those who try to make Rizal out as a paragon of all virtues with no human failings do him a great
disservice; for by departing so obviously from the truth, they only succeed in casting doubt on the very
real and truly great qualities which he did possess. Let us therefore by all means honor Rizal, but for the
right reasons: first of all, for his unselfish devotion to his country, and secondly, for the depth of insight
with which he examined and analyzed our national problems. Rising above petty passions and
prejudices, he disengaged from the concrete complexities of his time ideas regarding the function of
government, the well being of society, the dignity of the individual, the necessity of popular education,
the native traits and possibilities of the Filipino character, and the special mission and destiny of our
nation under God; ideas which, because of their universal and timeless validity, are applicable even in
our own times. Would that our leaders of today and our people as a whole might put into practice more
faithfully the patriotic teachings contained in the writings of our national hero! But men cannot put into
practice teachings with which they have but slight acquaintance and which they do not thoroughly and
rightly understand. Hence, we cannot but approve and applaud in principle the desire of many that the
writings of Rizal be more widely circulated and read, and even introduced as reading matter in the public
and private schools of the nation. We can think of no more effective means, after the formal teaching of
religion, to develop in our youth a sane and constructive nationalism and the civic virtue, so necessary in
our times of subordinating individual ambitions to the common good. Nevertheless, in this our respect
and esteem for Rizal and his work, we ought to follow the affectionate realism he taught us in the love
he had for his country. We need not be blind to his errors. To err is human. He had his human failings
like the rest of us; and while he showed great wisdom and courage in returning to the true Faith before
his death, we cannot ignore the fact that he did lapse from that faith. The historic fact of his retraction
shows that he himself, in conscience, in the face of death, did not approve of each and every one of his
previous statements.

Some of Rizal's most cogent insights into the political and social order are undoubtedly contained in his
two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Certainly our outstanding national hero wrote these
books inspired by a most ardent love for our country whose "dear image presented itself showing a
social cancer," which he dared to expose in the hope of finding a remedy for it. We wish to make it clear
that insofar as these novels give expression to our people's desire for political freedom and a social
order based on justice they are not at variance with the practical applications of Catholic doctrine to the
exigencies of the social milieu as it existed at the time. The Catholic Church in itself, as distinguished
from the human and fallible individuals who compose it, is not, never has been, and never will be
arrayed against the legitimate political and social aspirations of any people. If it were, it should not be
what it is called: Catholic, that is universal. Hence it follows that the clear and even forceful expression
of such aspirations can never be injurious to the Catholic Church. The aims and objectives of that
Church, being supernatural, are also supranational; between them and national aims, provided these are
in conformity with the principles of morality, no conflict is possible. Moreover, the same God who
created nature, restored it by grace; to Him both the supernatural and the natural order owe their
being; hence, as Pope Leo XIII says, "If we would judge rightly, the supernatural love of the Church and
the natural love of country are twin loves sprung from the same eternal source, since the author and
causes of both is God. Whence it follows that there can be no conflict between these two duties." We
may even go further and assert that history has repeatedly exemplified that the Gospel, which is the
divine mission of the Church to preach and propagate, has for its proper effect to make the mission of
the Church to present to the individual conscious of his dignity as an image of God and as one who is
adopted by our heavenly Father as a filial participant in His own exalted nature. Furthermore, it renders
the citizen conscious of his rights and responsibilities within the society which gave him birth and of the
freedom, both political and social which is necessary for the exercise of these rights and responsibilities.
Thus the Gospel of Christ contributes to the foundation of a true and solid basis for the development of
a balanced, dignified and really forceful nationalism. Pope Leo XIII made this clear in no uncertain terms
two years after the publication of the Noli Me Tangere: The Church does not condemn the desire that
one’s nation should be free from foreign or absolute rule, provided this freedom can be won without
injustice Nor does she reprehend those who wish to bring it about that states should be governed in
accordance with their own laws and the citizens be granted the widest possible scope for increasing
their prosperity. The Church has always shown herself a most faithful supporter of legitimate civil
liberties.

Now, according to Rizal himself, the object of his novels was to expose in terms of fictional narrative the
actual evils which then afflicted Philippine society. This “social cancer” was, in his opinion, largely due to
the decadent state of the religious order and to some practices of the Catholic religion. Hence the larger
part of these novels is devoted to castigating disedifying priests and to satirizing what he deemed to be
superstitious observances and practices of the Church.

Did Rizal attack only the abuses of certain priest but never contradict Catholic doctrines? No. When in
May 1889, Dr. Tavera told Rizal in Paris “that he (Tavera) tried to defend him (Rizal) before Fr. Faura
explaining that, in the attack upon the friars, the stone was thrown so high and with such force that it
reached religion,” Rizal corrected him saying: “This comparison is not quite exact; I wished to throw the
missile against the friars; but as they used the ritual and superstitions of a religion as a shield, I had to
get rid of that shield in order to wound the enemy that was hiding behind it." The interpretation, then,
of Dr. Tavera was not exact, according to Rizal himself. He did attack the shield, that is, not only the
superstitions which sometimes, due to ignorance, creep into religious practices, but the ritual itself of
the Church, which are sacred acts of Catholic worship. And he acknowledged this at the end when he
wrote: "I retract with all my heart whatever in my works, writings, publications and conduct has been
contrary to my status as a son of the Catholic Church." Furthermore, there are passages in the two
books where it is not anymore the novel's characters but the author himself who speaks. And among
these passages, there are many which are derogatory to Catholic beliefs and practices as such, aside
from the criticisms leveled upon unworthy priests.

In these two novels we find passages against Catholic dogma and morals where repeated attacks are
made against the Catholic religion in general, against the possibility of miracles, against the doctrine of
Purgatory, against the Sacrament of Baptism, against Confession, Communion, Holy Mass, against the
doctrine of Indulgences, Church prayers, the Catechism of Christian Doctrine, sermons, sacramentals
and books of piety. There are even passages casting doubts on or covering with confusion God's
omnipotence, the existence of hell, the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, and the two natures of
Christ.

Similarly, we find passages which disparage divine worship, especially the veneration of images and
relics, devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, the use of scapulars, cords and habits, the praying
of rosaries, novenas, ejaculations and indulgenced prayers. Even vocal prayers are included, such as the
Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Doxology, the Act of Contrition, and the Angelus, Mass ceremonies,
baptismal and exequial rites, worship of the Cross, the use of holy water and candles, processions, bells
and even the Sacred Sunday obligations do not escape scorn.

We also find passages that make light of ecclesiastical discipline, especially in what concerns stole fees,
alms to the Church, alms in suffrages for the dead, authority of the Pope, excommunication, education
in Catholic schools, Pontifical privileges, Catholic burial, the organization of nunneries and monasteries,
Confraternities, Third Orders, etc.

These are the actual findings from a serene and impartial reading of the two novels. Much to our regret
then, we feel it our sacred duty to come to the conclusion that these works, as any other of their kind,
fall under Canon Law 1399 of the code of Canon Law which establishes: By the law itself are forbidden.
Books of any writers defending heresy or schism, or tending in any way to undermine the very
foundations of religion; Books which attack or ridicule any of the Catholic dogmas, or which defend
errors condemned by the Holy See, or which disparage divine worship, or strive to overthrow
ecclesiastical discipline, or which have the avowed aim of defaming the ecclesiastical hierarchy or the
clerical or religious states; Evidently, some, not all, of the clauses of this law affect clearly the novels we
are studying. This is indeed a matter of concern to all of us, dear children, and We are the first to regret
that the books that were written by our foremost national hero inspired by the most genuine patriotism,
have included such substantial defects in their religious aspect as to render them objectionable reading
in such sense that only with due permission obtained from ecclesiastical authority may these books be
read by Catholics. This permission, however, is readily granted for a justifiable reason, whenever the
person concerned has sufficient knowledge of the Catholic doctrine in question. This does not mean,
however, that each and every portion of the novels falls under this law. Those portions which do not
contradict the content and practices of the Catholic Faith are evidently not affected by the law.

This being the fact, to make the two novels in question compulsory reading matter in our schools, as
proposed in the Senate Bill No. 438, is tantamount to forcing our Catholic youth to read doctrinal attacks
against their religion without making it equally obligatory for them to read the answer to such attacks. Is
this being fair to Catholics? It is true that our government allows the teaching of religion in schools. But
this does not do away with the unfairness of the proposed law, because while the government would
impose the obligation to teach the anti-Catholic side, as contained in the novels, it merely does not
oppose the study of the Catholic side. Or will the government in the same manner make compulsory the
reading of the Catholic doctrines contradicted in those novels? But in that event would not the principle
of separation of Church and State be at once invoked against such remedial reading? As in the case of a
certain biography of Rizal, we see here the same tendency to discriminate against Catholics in this
Catholic country. When there is a point of attacking the Catholic position, the government seems to
have the right even to spend the people's money in support of the attack, in the name of patriotism,
culture, history, or for any other noble purpose. Should Catholics wish to defend their side in the same
manner that it is attacked, the spectre of clericalism, bigotry, obscurantism, reaction or the like is
invoked, and the wall of "separation of Church and State" is hastily rigged to block our way.Let us be
sincere and straightforward. In order to imbue our youth with patriotism, is it necessary to make them
read that confessionals are made so that we may sin? In order to teach our youth love of country is it
necessary to expose them to jeers at Catholic worship, or to say of stole fees that "divine justice is not
nearly so exacting as human", to say "novenas, responsories, versicles and prayers have been composed
for those who lack original ideas and feelings" and that "the Church does not gratuitously save the
beloved souls for you nor does it distribute indulgences without payment?" In order to teach our youth
high political and social ideals, is it necessary to make them read that the idea of Purgatory "does not
exist in the Old Testament nor in the Gospels; that neither Moses nor Christ made the slightest mention
of it; and that the early Christians did not believe in a purgatory?" In order to teach our youth civic
virtues is it necessary to tell our girls that "there is a mystery (of corruption) that is hidden behind the
walls of a nunnery; that it is a thousand times better for them to be unhappy in the world than in the
cloister; that girls who are beautiful were not born to be brides of Christ?" Does patriotism and
nationalism consist in these assertions and many others like these repeated again and again in
multifarious ways throughout many of the chapters of these novels? If not, then it is evident that the
political and social principles of Rizal are not inseparable from those passages which we consider
objectionable from the point of view of our Church. Therefore, statements against the Church contained
in the novels should never be considered indispensable parts of the ideals we want to teach our youth.
We view with alarm any obligatory reading of these objectionable passages for they can be easily
exploited by those who hate the Church as an opportunity, under the guise of patriotism, under the
cloak of the spirit of nationalism, to imbue, with legal sanction (that is, by law, to be enacted by
Catholics legislator)the minds of our youth with ideas which are inimical to their religion.

Religious conscience is formed by one's belief in and adherence to the teachings and the laws of one's
own faith. Catholic conscience, then, is guided by Catholic teachings and the laws of the Catholic Church.
We are aware that in our country, there are many baptized Catholics for whom Catholic teachings and
laws have little meaning. But on the other hand, there are millions of Filipinos, from all levels of life,
from the farmhand to the learned professional and academic professor who take the Church as the
guide of their conscience. Once they become aware that there are portions of the books which are
against the teachings and laws of their Church, they will consider contrary to their conscience
compulsory reading of the novels in their entirety. It will not be sufficient to say that prominent and
learned Filipinos consider these portions of the two books as attacks only on some disedifying priests
and not as attacks on doctrines of the Church. While these millions of faithful Catholics respect their
political leaders and follow their political and social leadership, they (the faithful Catholics) still consider
the official pronouncements of their Church as the guide of their faith. It is in their name that We want
to appeal to our legislators not to legislate against the conscience of these millions of their countrymen
who have a right to their freedom of conscience as much as anybody else. If we want to teach our youth
to love, as Rizal did, the freedom of their country, let us not disregard one of the fundamental freedoms
of our people, viz., their freedom of conscience.

There is a serious danger here of confusing the issues: patriotism and faith. The two issues are so
intimately mixed up in Rizal's novels that all our efforts to separate them in this delicate question might
be misinterpreted. Were it not because of our pastoral duty bids us forcefully at this moment to speak,
We would rather prefer to keep a prudent silence on the matter, as our predecessors did. But since we
ought to speak, allow us to sum up our mind in the following brief, precise statements, that we offer to
you, dear children, for your guidance. And we present these to all Filipinos, especially to the law-giving
bodies of our Government, for calm study and fair consideration. They are our expression of the Catholic
stand concerning the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal, NOLI ME TANGERE and EL FILIBUSTERISMO:

I. We, the Catholic Philippine Hierarchy, in Our name and in the name of millions of faithful Filipino
Catholics, wish on this occasion to restate our unshakable loyalty to our fatherland, as well as to the
lawfully constituted authorities of the country.

II. Faithful Catholics wish to be second to none in love and veneration for our national hero, Dr. Jose
Rizal, whose patriotism remains for us a noble inspiration.
III. We assert that he is our greatest patriot and our greatest national hero, not, however, for what one
day he wrote against our religion and which at the end he retracted "with all his heart", but for what he
did on behalf of the welfare of our country.

IV. The novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were doubtlessly written as an expression of Rizal's
ardent and generous love for our dear Philippines.

V. But unfortunately these novels were written when Dr. Jose Rizal, estranged for a time from our faith
and religion, did contradict many of our Christian beliefs and there are many beautiful passages in them
showing this; and we are in favor of propagating these passages and encouraging our young generation
to read and learn them.

VI. This in no way implies that we must reject him in order to remain loyal to our faith. It only means
that we have to imitate him precisely in what he did when he was about to crown the whole work of his
life by sealing it with his blood; we ought to withdraw, as he courageously did in the hour of his supreme
sacrifice, "whatever in his works, writings, publications and conduct had been contrary to his status as a
son of the Catholic Church." A dying person's last will is sacred. Taking into account Rizal's last will, we
must carry out for him what death prevented him from doing, namely, the withdrawal of all his
statements against the Catholic faith.

VII. It is our conviction that to disregard our national hero's last will expressed in his Retraction as well as
his Last Farewell, is, far from revering his memory, bringing it into contempt.

VIII. It is true, as the Explanatory Note to the proposed Bill No. 438 - 3rd C.R.P. says that "to praise Rizal
without taking the trouble to study that which elicits our praises is to be hypocritical". Hence we suggest
that a Rizalian Anthology be prepared where all the patriotic passages and the social political philosophy
of Rizal not only from these two novels but from all the rest of his writings, letters, poems and speeches
be compiled. It is not only in the two novels but also in his other writings are the patriotic teachings of
Rizal to be found. In order to compile an Anthology of the kind we suggest, we have already organized a
committee which is making the necessary studies.

IX. Our objection then to the Bill proposed is not an objection against our national hero nor against the
imparting of patriotic education to our children.

X. Our Constitution (Art. 3, Section 1 (7) guarantees the free exercise of religion. The Supreme Court of
the United States has decided that the American school children belonging to a certain sect cannot be
compelled to salute the American flag because said act is offensive to their religious belief. (West
Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319, U.S. 624). On this basis, we believe that to compel Catholic
students to read a book which contains passages contradicting their faith constitutes a violation of a
Philippine constitutional provision.

XI. We, the Catholic Philippine Hierarchy maintain that these novels do contain teachings contrary to our
faith and so, we are opposed to the proposed compulsory reading in their entirety of such books in any
school in the Philippines where Catholic students may be affected. We cannot permit the eternal
salvation of immortal souls, souls for which we are answerable before the throne of Divine Justice, to be
compromised for the sake of any human .