Catholicism in the Philippines (1521-2015) PDF

CATHOLICISM IN THE PHILIPPINES 1521-1898 Christianity arrived in the Philippines with Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. On March 16, 1521 after an intrepid journey across the Pacific Ocean, the Portuguese navigator first landed in Homonhon Island, off the coast of Samar. Then they sighted the b...

CATHOLICISM IN THE PHILIPPINES 1521-1898 Christianity arrived in the Philippines with Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. On March 16, 1521 after an intrepid journey across the Pacific Ocean, the Portuguese navigator first landed in Homonhon Island, off the coast of Samar. Then they sighted the beautiful Limasawa Island (Southern Leyte) On Easter Sunday, he planted a wooden cross and attended the first Mass on Filipino soil, which was celebrated by Fr. Pedro de Valderrama. From there, Magellan reached Cebu where he was heartily welcomed by Raha Humabon. On April 15, 1521, Fr. Valderrama baptized the king together with his wife, Juana, and 800 natives. Magellan presented to the queen a beautiful image of the Sto. Nino, who became the patron of the island. On April 27,1521, Magellan led an expedition against Mactan Island. In fighting on the beach, he was hit in the leg by a poisoned arrow. As he covered the retreat of his comrades, he was slain by the local chief, Lapu-Lapu. The survivors hurriedly sailed to the Indian Ocean and eventually reached Spain. Out of the 5 ships and 280 crew members, only 2 vessels and 31 persons returned. Among them was the Italian historiographer Antonio Pigafetta. News of the discovery prompted Spain to send new expeditions for the conquest and the colonization of the Philippines, which was named after King Philip II. Christian evangelization was first undertaken by the Augustinians (1564) who accompanied the early Spanish expeditions. They were followed by the Franciscans (1578), Jesuits (1581), Dominicans (1587), and Augustinian Recollects (1606). In 1579, the first Episcopal See (Diocese) was erected in Manila. In 1595 raised as Archdiocese of Manila with the foundation of Dioceses of Cebu, Nueva Segovia (Vigan) and Nueva Caceres (Naga City) Domingo de Salazar, O.P. the first bishop of the Philippines, courageously defended the natives from the rapacity of the conquistadors and he also headed the abolition of slavery (1581). The first centuries of Christianity in the Philippines were regulated by the regime of the Patronato Real, that promoted collaboration between the Church and the colonial government Spain gave financial support and protection to the missionaries in return for loyalty and obedience. This was made visible in each town where, Church and municipality were built beside each other (plaza complex) Unfortunately, some corrupted friars tainted the image of the Church with their scandals and abuses, and created a feeling of anti-clericalism even among the most sincere Catholics Before the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos lived in scattered barangays under the rule of a datu, lakan, rajah, & gat in 1380 Islam was introduced in Mindanao and Sulu, but most of the people remained animistic, with strong emphasis on ancestor worship and the cult of the dead. They conceived the universe as peopled by good and evil spirits who had to be propitiated by special rites and the sacrifice of animals. The Spanish missionaries gathered the barangay clans into large towns. They founded Churches, hospitals and schools. Instruction was given in native languages rather than in Spanish, which was reserved to the elite class. Religion was made to permeate society by substituting splendid liturgical rites, like fiestas, processions, and novenas, for the old pagan practices. Pious associations of prayer and charity were formed among the lay people. By the grace of God, the Philippines became the first and only Christian country in Asia. CATHOLICISM IN THE PHILIPPINES 1898-2000 In 1872, three diocesan priests, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, were executed for alleged complicity in a mutiny of native garrison troops. This gave a powerful impetus to the independence movement led by Dr. Jose Rizal, who was himself arrested and executed for treason in 1896 The ensuing revolution and independent government (1896- 98), led by Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, and other Katipuneros, were cut short by the intervention of the United States, that obtained the Philippines independence from Spain at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. The Americans began the policy of the separation between Church and State, and opened the gate to Protestant missions. One consequence of the revolution was the formation in 1902 of the Philippine Independent Church. In 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo and other Filipino leaders, wishing to overthrow the spiritual and political power of the Spaniards, persuaded Gregorio Aglipay, a Filipino priest, to create a local Church. Aglipay became the supreme bishop and had himself consecrated by 12 schismatic priests. The doctrines of the Philippine Independent Church were contained in the books of Isabelo de los Reyes, a former Philippine senator. In 1914, Felix Manalo founded the Iglesia ni Kristo. This religious group, despite the name, does not believe in the divinity of Christ nor in the reality of the Trinity During World War II (1941- 45), the Church did not compromise with the Japanese occupation. Several priests and religious, who refused to cooperate with the Japanese, were interned in camps. Those who managed to escape to the hills continued their ministry among guerillas and refugees. The archbishop of Manila, Michael O’Doherty, was kept at arrest because he refused to ask the people on a radio address to cooperate with the invaders. At the end of the war, the Philippines was granted full independence and sovereignty. Despite the problems left behind by three years of Japanese military occupation, the newly born republic succeeded in making the Philippines the most respectable country in Asia. In 1965 Ferdinand Marcos was elected president. Seven years later he declared martial law, and closed down most newspapers and broadcasting stations. Martial law was formally ended in 1981, but Marcos retained absolute emergency powers In 1983, the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino at Manila airport led to mass demonstrations against the regime, that exploded in 1986 with the famous EDSA Revolution. The people of Manila, openly supported by the outspoken Cardinal Jaime Sin, Filipinos were able to stop tanks and machineguns with their people power, flowers, and prayers Marcos fled to the United States and Corazon Aquino, widow of the murdered Benigno and herself a devout Catholic, became president. The new constitution, ratified in 1987, subscribed to the principle of separation of Church and state and granted religious freedom to all churches and denominations Pope Paul VI (d. 1978) was the first pope to visit the Philippines (1971). Despite an assassination attempt, the visit was a great success Pope John Paul II (d. 2005) visited the country in 1981, for the canonization of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Lay missionary, d. 1637 - Japan), the first Filipino saint (canonized 1987). Pope Paul VI (d. 1978) was the first pope to visit the Philippines (1971). Despite an assassination attempt, the visit was a great success Pope John Paul II (d. 2005) visited the country in 1981, for the canonization of St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Lay missionary, d. 1637 - Japan), the first Filipino saint (canonized 1987). He came again in 1995 for the World Youth Day. St. Pedro Calungsod (Lay missionary, d. 1672 - Guam) was beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. Canonized by Pope Benedict XVI Oct. 21,2012 The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) was held at the Holy Apostles Seminary in Makati, Metro- Manila on January 20- February 17, 1991 PCP II was formulated by representative laity, bishops, religious, priests and is the contemporary blueprint of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Accordingly, it envisioned a people who are Maka-Tao, Maka-Diyos, Maka-Bayan, a nation and Church renewed--- to be the Church of the Poor--- and promotion of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) as an expression of renewal. The Sixth World Youth Day was celebrated in Manila on January 10-15, 1995. The pope was so impressed by the Filipinos’ love and hospitality that he uttered the memorable statement: The Filipinos are a phenomenal people! The 4 million people who attended the closing Mass in Luneta Park on January 15 experienced an event like a new Pentecost. Monday, January 19, 2015,by Reuters. Pope Francis’ Manila Mass draws ‘up to seven million’ people.