Jean Angelica D.

Cabigao BSACT5X / TTH / 09:00 - 10:30 November 24, 2016

The Secularization Movement and Controversy

Secularization is a process by which the society is slowly transforming from that having
close identification with the religious institution to a more separated relationship. This
was considered to be the dawn of Philippine Nationalism.

Conflict began when the bishops insisted on visiting the parishes that were being run by
regular priests, those whose main task is to spread Christianity. It was their duty, they
argued, to check on the administration of these parishes. But the regular priests refused
these visits, saying that they were not under the bishops jurisdiction. They threatened to
abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted.

In 1774, Archbishop Basilio Santa Justa decided to uphold the dioceses authority over
the parishes and accepted the resignations of the regular priests. He assigned secular
priests to take their place. Since there were not enough seculars to fill all the vacancies
the Archbishop hastened the ordination of Filipino seculars. A royal decree was also
issued on November 9, 1774, which provided for the secularization of all parishes or the
transfer of parochial administration from the regular friars to the secular priests.

The regulars resented the move because they considered the Filipinos unfit for the
priesthood. The controversy became more intense when the Jesuits returned to the
Philippines. They had been exiled from the country because of the conflict they had
between the European leaders. They returned to the country in 1861 and regain power
over the Mindanao parishes from the Recollects took over during their absence. The
Recollects were bestowed the parishes of Manila and Cavite by the colonial government
to appeased their loss. The original administrators of the parishes, the Filipino secular
priests, naturally protested. The Spaniards were clearly favoring their own regular priest
over Filipino priests.

Monsignor Pedro Pelaez, sided with the Filipinos. Unfortunately, he died in an

earthquake that destroyed the Manila Cathedral in 1863. After his death, other priests
took his place in fighting for the secularization movement. Among them were Fathers
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora who headed the movement.

They advocated the right of the Filipino secular clergy over the assignment of parishes
rather than giving them to the newly arrived Spanish friars in the country. The seculars
were those who were not bound by monastic vows or religious order. The Filipino
priests then were assigned as assistants to Spanish friars.

Reference

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Secularization

http://www.philippine-history.org/secularization-of-priests.htm