Aglipay and the Jesuits

Aglipay was mildly irked at the inclusion of his name as the Supreme Bishop of the new
Church, for he was at that time in conference with the Jesuits in a last attempt to
prevent a schism. Knowing that Aglipay was influential with the Filipino clergy, the
Jesuits chose Father Fransisco Foradada, a Spaniard and author of a book on the
Philippines, to work on the Filipino priest.
For four days, Foradada exerted all his power of persuation to win back Aglipay to the
Catholic fold, although Aglipay had not as yet definitely given up his Catholic faith. On
the fifth day, Foradada handed Aglipay a document for his signature,
The document, apparently was a confession of Catholic faith, a return to Catholicism
and, in a way, a retraction of what he had done. Aglipay studied the document and
when Foradada returned in the afternoon he had not as yet signified his intention of
signing the document. Foradada promised that if he would sign it he would be appointed
bishop or archbishop with a large sum of money thrown in . Aglipay wanted an
assurance that by signing the document the problem of the Filipino Catholic priests
would be solved, which is to say, that the Filipino clergy would be appointed to the
posts, formerly held by the Spanish regulars.

Aglipay: With closed eyes, I would sign this document, not for servile gallantry,
but for consolidating the religious peace in my country. But, can you assure me,
Father, that with the publication of this document, the situation of the friars in the
country will be saved? Can you guarantee at least that with the signing of this
document the problem of the native priests will be solved?
Foradada: Why do you mind so much the Filipino priests, since all the world
knows that they are vicious and hopelessly inefficient?

Aglipay trembled with savage and fury. He turned to the arrougant Spaniard. They were
facing each other across a round table. Aglipay in the heat of the moment, reached for
Foradada but failed. He then lunged at him, held him by the nape of his neck, and
shouted

Aglipay: Either you withdraw that odious calumny, Father Foradada, or at this
moment Ill forever end all your slanderous impertinences

The arrogant Spaniard, terrified at the Filipinos wrath, fell on his knees, trembling and
clasping his hands. Here, indeed, was a partial reenactment of the scene in the Noli
The commotion that followed the angry fulminations of Aglipay attracted Dr. Leon Ma.
Guerrero and Juaquin Luna to the room. Aglipay, thinking that Luna came to succor the
embattled Jesuit, turned to him saying
Fr. Gregorio to Joaquin Luna: Do not intervene in his affair, for it is not your
concern. Remember the blood of your brother is still fresh in our fields. If that
precious blood had been shed, if our Revolution took place, it was because of the
system of spoliation practiced by Rome, which drove our people to risk all perils
and sacrifice to emancipate our land from monastic oppression. A so-called
representative of Christ, this man, instead of deploring the monstrous blunders of
frailocracy, of which he is a member, still insists in offending in my face the
sacred dignity of our race

Fr. Gregorio to Foradada: Your provocative insults took off the mask from your
face! I am now convinced that the ecclesiastical authorities of Rome are
incapable of dealing justly with the Filipinos. Now, I leave this building, and bear
in mind that within three days you will hear from this Filipino priest named
Aglipay. By the time you will learn how to respect the character and efficiency of
the Filipinos, for I will prove that we are able not only to administer dioceses, but
also to establish modern churches free from all foreign interference

Agllipay left the Jesuit House. The break with Rome was now complete. Years later, the
Jesuits tried their best to repair the damage done by Foradada. Through F. Theo.
Rogers, they once more invited Aglipay to a conerence. This time the conference was to
take place at Rogers house in Intramuros. Father Joaquin Villalongga was chosen to
deal with Aglipay, who was accompanied by the young Aglipayan priest, Santiago
Fonacier.

Villalonga was diplomatic and earnestly urged Aglipay to return to the Catholic fold and
forget the new Church. The Pope, he said was interested in avoiding in a religious
schism.
Villalonga: Return to the catholic fold and forget the new Church. The Pope was
interested in avoiding religious schism. Furthermore, anything you ask will be
granted by His Holiness, on condition that you help bring to an end the
schismatic movement you initiated
Fr. Gregorio: As for me, I do not want anything, because it is enough for me to
look at the mountains of my country to make me feel that I am the richest man in
the world.. I only ask justice and sincere love for my people. The Philippines
Independent Church, of which I am the head, is spreding throughout the
 Archipelago and its object is no other thatnthe reestablishment of the rational
worship of the only one God in all His splendor, and at the esame time to prove
to the world the ability of the Filipinos to enjoy an independent religious life

Villalonga: Father Gregorio, it seems impossible to me that in so short a time

you have run a greater distance than Savonarola, Luther, and Calvin along that
perilous slope of heresy. I trust, nevertheless, that when you are finally
consecrated Bishop or Archbishop, with full powers to administer the rich
interests of the mitre, you will be convinced, and the Filipino people, too, that His
Holiness is waiting to deal equitably with everybody. Upon your decision depends
the eternal salvation of millions of souls, since with the proposal I make the
Mother Church has gone up to the maximum of possible grants.
Fr. Gregorio: Please do not speak to me of salvation! This problem is very
debatable and much discussed, too, and to me it seems improper for serious
people. You speak to me of grants, like those offered to me by Father Foradada,
your brother Jesuit. I seek not for my personal betterment. What I am after is
justice and truth.. Though you tempt me with mitres and millions, I am compelled
by my conscience to refuse

The conversation went on

Fr. Gregorio: If you wanted to help me, would you therefore give me a thousand
pesos
Villalonga: I have not that amount with me
Fr. Gregorio:What! No sooner had I tried to verify the veracity of your reiterated
desire to help me than you confess that you do not have one thousand pesos, an
amount which is hardly enough for postage stamps necessary to inform the
people of our Church of your proposition. Well, in order to show that Aglipay
loves you, too, ask me for any amount and I shall readily give it to you
Villalonga: And if I as for the moon?
Fr. Gregorio: If you ask me the moon, I would give it to you this very instant in a
silver tray!
Villalonga: Impossible!
Fr. Gregorio: It is stupid and silly to ask for the impossible, Father Villalonga. If
you ask the moon of me I would find it for you, since I consider you a judicious
person. But in view of your complete and admitted worthlessness I am
constrained to end this conversation. The Philippine Independent Church will go
on, and neither the Pope nor all the Jesuits living now and hereafter will be able
 to impede it. Aglipay will live and die as poor as when he was born, but he will
never betray the interests of his people. Good night!

So ended the Jesuit attempts to make him return to the Catholic fold. Aglipay had
burned all the bridges behind him.