Secularization movement in the Philippines

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Not to be confused with Secularism in the Philippines.
The Gomburza were lead figures of the secularization movement in its later years.

The secularization movement in the

Spanish colonial administration from the 18th to late 19th century advocated for greater rights for native Filipino Catholic clergymen. The movement had significant implications to Filipino nationalism and the Philippine Revolution
.

Background

During the

Iberian peninsula) and the Catholic friars. Clergymen who are affiliated with a religious order such as the Jesuits and the Dominicans had significant influence over the affairs of the islands.[1]

They are two key groups among the Catholic clergy in the Philippines in relation to the secularization movement.[1]

  • Seculars (seculares) – Clergymen
    who are not affiliated with a religious order. They are mostly native Filipinos. At the time they are referred to as indios with the term Filipino exclusive to Spaniards born in the Philippines (insulares).[2] Parish works is usually reserved to seculars but the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines had to deal with the issue that there are virtually no Spaniard seculars due to the low immigration rate of Spaniards to the Philippines due to its distance from Spain and its weak economy.[3]
  • Regulars (regulares) – Clergymen who are part of an established order. They are mostly Spaniards.

The secularization movement encouraged the assignment of native Filipino priests to head parishes. The movement was met with opposition from the Spanish friars who are regulars due to its negative effects to their political authority and influence in the Philippine islands.[4] Some religious regulars justified their opposition to give native priests more responsibility with racist reasoning, and that the natives are allegedly not suitable for priesthood to begin with. They were also concerned that the secularization process might lead to secession of the island colony from Spain. Native priests previously played a role in the uprisings in Mexico and Peru.[5]

History

Spanish-sanctioned secularization

Charles III of Spain in 1759 instituted a policy which aimed to subject the Catholic Church to the Spanish monarchy. The religious orders resisted such moves in contrast to the seculars who report to bishops appointed by the monarchy.[5]

The secularization movement began in the 1770s. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1768 from all of the

secular priests also proved to be ill-equipped to govern parishes. The takeover of the seculars of parishes in Pampanga from the Augustinians overseen by Governor General Anda himself turned violent.[6]

In 1787, the colonial government in the Philippines petitioned for Charles III to put an end to secularization policy.[6] The Spanish government revoked its secularization policy in 1826, despite the Holy See's position of discouragement against the permanence of a religious order in governing a parish. However, the Rome (modern-day Vatican) or the Pope had no absolute power over Catholic clergy in the Philippines. The Pope's decision affecting the Philippines had to be approved by the Spanish government and religious orders in the Philippines still wielded influence over the colonial government and could override Rome (modern-day Vatican).[5]

Native-led secularization movement

Ecclesiastical status of the Archdiocese of Manila, 1818

The secularization movement continued to grew heading to the early 19th century. One of the native priests which led the movement in that period was

Jose Burgos, a protege of Pelaez became involved in the movement. Like Pelaez, Burgos strongly advocated for the rights of the secular clergy who were not being allowed to govern a parish due to their race.[5]

However, upon the suppression of the Jesuits, the Recollect Order moving to the parishes once owned by Jesuits, surrendered their parishes to local Filipino diocesans or secular clergy, temporarily assuaging Filipino yearnings.[7]

The Jesuits returned to the Philippines in 1859 displacing many

secular priests.[4] They gained back control of parishes in Mindanao from the Recollects in 1861. Secular priests in Cavite lost jurisdiction over their parishes in favor of the Recollects and Dominicans. In December 1870, the Spanish archbishop of Manila, Gregorio Melitón Martínez, wrote to the Spanish regent advocating secularization and warning that discrimination against Filipino priests would encourage anti-Spanish sentiments.[6]

Execution of the Gomburza and aftermath

Gomburza grave in Paco Park.

The movement culminated in 1872 with the execution of the Gomburza, which consisted of three native priests namely Burgos himself, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora. Being prominent figures of the secularization movement, they were accused of being involved in the 1872 Cavite mutiny.

Furthermore the Governor General who was a

Jose Rizal to form the La Liga Filipina
, to ask for reforms from Spain and recognition of local clergy.

The Gomburza was later regarded as

martyrs by liberal reformists and Filipino nationalists. The trio were referenced in José Rizal's El filibusterismo and their death was often cited by the Katipunan (a secret society adopting Masonic rites) as figures being inspiration for the Philippine Revolution.[4][1]

At the peak of the Philippine Revolution, more than 800 of the 967 parishes and missions were under the control of religious orders. More than 400 of the regulars were captured and many others were killed during the revolution.[6]

The start of the

Bishop of Caceres
.

The secularization movement also led to the establishment of the

Iglesia Filipina Independiente by Isabelo de los Reyes and Fr. Gregorio Aglipay. The church proclaimed independence from the authority of the Holy See in 1902 becoming the Philippines' first wholly-Filipino led Christian denomination.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Umali, Justin (February 17, 2020). "How the Death of Gomburza Led to a Wholly Filipino Church". Esquiremag. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Dawoodbhoy, Zahara (February 24, 2016). "The Politics of Religion in the Philippines". The Asia Foundation. Asia Foundation. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  3. ISSN 0021-910X
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e Pasion, Francis Kristoffer (February 16, 2021). "Remembering the GOMBURZA: In Anticipation of the 150th Anniversary of their Martyrdom in 2022". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Uckung, Peter Jaynul (September 6, 2012). "The Secularization Issue was an international Issue". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "IV. A Filipino clergy emerges". 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Escalante, Rene (May 12, 2020). "WATCH: GOMBURZA an NHCP Documentary" (video). youtube.com. National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
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