Monastic Supremacy - Lecture notes 1 PDF

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FINALS1. Monastic Supremacy in the Philippines by Marcelo H. DelPilar (political, religious and economic aspects)It all started when the Spaniards had discovered and explored the Philippines. It was early 16th century when Catholic missionaries and explorers from Spain have arrived here in the Phili...

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FINALS 1. Monastic Supremacy in the Philippines by Marcelo H. Del Pilar (political, religious and economic aspects) It all started when the Spaniards had discovered and explored the Philippines. It was early 16th century when Catholic missionaries and explorers from Spain have arrived here in the Philippines. Magellan's voyage of discovery,152I, and the subsequent voyages of Loaisa and Villalobos were undertaken for commercial, not exactly for missionary purposes, but by the hope of locating "spice islands" for Spain. But five Augustinian friars set out with Legaspi on the expedition from Mexico which finally resulted in permanent occupation in the Philippines. After the death of Magellan, the Spanish sent other expeditions back to the Philippines. As the century wore on, expeditions became increasingly crucial for Spain. The crown believed that the Philippines would become a new and important source of revenue for the empire. Therein, the goals of the Spanish regime in the Philippines became as: God, Glory, and Gold. Apart from expanding its trade, the evangelization of indios was a clear mission of the empire. Led by Father Urdaneta, Spanish Augustinian friars moved from Mexico to the Philippines upon the request of Philip II and became the first official Catholic missionaries in the country. Hence, many friars have started in working to widen beliefs. The Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, and Recollects followed suit over the centuries. They are the different religious orders arrived in the Philippines:     

Augustinians (1565) - Order of Saint Augustine Franciscans (1578) - Ordo Fratrum Minorum Jesuits (1581) - Society of Jesus Dominicans (1587) - Order of Preachers Recollects (1606) - Order of Augustinian Recollects

The religious played a predominant role in the administration of the Philippines. Thus, the Monastic Supremacy has started. The battles against the invaders and the oppressors during the colonial Philippines were not only marked by the revolts but were also manifested in the writings of the Filipinos in Spanish. The writings of the propagandists like Marcelo H. Del Pilar, his work La Soberania Monacal en Filipinas by which crimes and abuses of the friars and the injustices done were exposed. Marcelo H. Del Pilar is a Philippine revolutionary propagandist and satirist. He actively campaigned against the abuses of the Spanish friars in the Philippines. Along with Jose Rizal and Graciano Lopez Jaena, they became known as the leading lights of the Reform Movement in Spain. He is commonly known for his pen names Plaridel, Siling Labuyo and Dolores Manapat.

MONASTIC SUPREMACY is the service to God and to king. The church’s organization, personnel and role in society were all defined early in the colonial era. During the spanish colonization, the friars maintained complete control of secondary and higher instruction. As a result, they were deeply implicated in the exploitation of Filipinos transpiring to different transformative effects in the lives of the Filipino people in different aspects. I truly believe that the Monastic Supremacy of the Spanish friars have brought many political, religious and economic conflicts causing the Filipinos to suffer.

POLITICAL ASPECT In the Political aspect, the friars interfered in the Philippine Government for a long time, it was firmly established. Thus, without any difficulty, they controlled the status quo of the country in defiance of the nation and the institutions. They frighten the government with the rebelliousness of the country and they frighten the country with the deposition of the government. I can't express my repugnance in learning that the friars even imposed a system where Filipinos are forced to work in building the churches and their dwellings (called conventos ), as by the military-civil administrators in making highways, bridges, etc. Note that the labor thus owed to the government was frequently hired out to individuals, and public works in many provinces were neglected, -while official pockets were lined. Moreover, it was one of the various institutions through which the burden of taxation in the Philippines was put upon the poor, while Spaniards, mestizos, and those few pure-blood natives who became "principales" in their towns were even exempted from service. It is also claimed that the friars introduce village life; but the truth is under their guidance, the communities centered more and more about the churches or stone edifices which were built under their supervision. It is also alleged that the friars assume to be the supreme representative of authority and belittle the dignity of lay officials; intrigue for the removal of such officials, both small and great, who will not submit to dictations. Friarchy created many privileges ang this is not for the country and its government but for the friar's selfish visions. They are able to control the status quo of the country and the privilege to vote is in the hands of the curate.

RELIGIOUS ASPECT

Despite of Philippines having a government who are responsible for all the duties serve for the Filipinos, during these time the performance of their duties only depends on the parish priests. To report the conduct of a citizen, the testimony of one hundred members of the Principalia is not enough. The essential requirement is the curate’s approval. This aspect is highly affected by the monastic power. National Integrity is at stake during that time and the friars are too authoritative. The approval of the curate is very essential that time because it was also used to the census of residents in the municipality and officiating some documents. The fear of the people to question this societal setup took their voices to speak up. Marcelo H. Del Pilar, wrote “Dasalan at Tocsohan,” by which it ridicules Friars. It includes Ang Amain Namin, Ang Aba Ginoong Barya, Ang Aba Po Santa Barya.

ECONOMIC ASPECT As what I have read, the government restrains from creating new sources of revenue, so it will not add any burden to the Filipinos anymore. But the friars, priests, and bishops, therefore, constituted a solid, powerful, permanent, well ‐organized political force in the islands which dominated policies. They have invented any forms that is very costly and will make the public pay. Unfortunately, Filipinos are left with no choice but to pay against their will. They are that frightened by knowing the extent of the powers of friars. They could be sent to exile in any moment. In that, the Filipinos harbored resentment against these dominants. I should also emphasise the fact that thousands of hectares of the best land in the archipelago were owned or held by the religious orders. The friars had held these lands for centuries.Thus, added more fuel to the resentment of the Filipino people. Consequently, the economic effect of these holdings was detrimental to the economy. The religious orders would not sell these lands of their own accord, hence, the Filipino agriculturists who desired to utilize them were prevented either from buying or renting.

Repugnantly, they have acquired these lands over time by purchases with unreasonable prices, ecclesiastical privileges and at times, outright usurpation. These are the means of acquisition: 

Royal Bequest - Friars suggested that the King grant them some estates in the native villages so that the missionaries could become self supporting.

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Donations and Inheritances - A donations to Friars in gratitude f or their ministrations. Priests were prohibited from inheriting property from those they habitually confessed by order of the King.

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Buying of Land - Friars bought land from the natives using the money obtained from church fees, trade, and from profits gained from the produce of lands. With their prestige and power, they pressured natives to sell them their lands at very low prices.

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Foreclosure of Mortgages - Natives lacked capital for extensive cultivation. So partnership were formed between the farmers and Friars herein the Friars provided capital while the farmers worked on the fields. Friars began to demand that their advances be regarded as loans payable at a fixed rate of interest . Farmers debt ran into debt leading to foreclosure of lands.

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Land-grabbing - An additional hectares of land outside original boundaries of Friar property were gobbled up each time a new survey as conducted. Priests claimed lands and had them titled. Original native settlers were now declared squatters.

In my own perspective, truly, what our fellow Filipino have experienced in the hands of Spaniards are unfair and insufferable. Yes, they should be credited for few things they contributed to our country, it is still undeniable that Filipinos in that time suffered a lot and have been deprived of their own rights and justice. I will agree with the description of Marcelo H. Del Pilar of the friars, they are not servants of God, they use religion to earn money, they are rude and greedy....