RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

The wall of The wall of Intramuros in Intramuros in

Manila is a Manila is a remnant of the remnant of the Spanish colonial Spanish colonial

period.period.

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

The Spaniards ruled the country, brought the The Spaniards ruled the country, brought the Christian religion to the country and was Christian religion to the country and was

responsible for a lot of colonial and religious responsible for a lot of colonial and religious buildings throughout the country. The results buildings throughout the country. The results

can still be seen in places as for instance Cebu can still be seen in places as for instance Cebu City and Manila.City and Manila.

In Cebu City:In Cebu City:

Magellan’s Cross

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

Basilicade

Sto. Niño

The Historic San Miguel

Archangel Parish in Argao,

Cebu City

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

CHRISTIANIZATION STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY CHRISTIANIZATION STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY THE SPANISH:THE SPANISH:

“Early Spanish Chapel, Luzon”

There are a number of reasons why Spanish missionaries were successful in this attempt:

MASS BAPTISMThe initial practice of

baptizing large numbers of Filipino at one time enabled the initial

conversion to Christianity.

REDUCCION POLICIESThe Spanish military employed a

resettlement policy that they had used successfully. This policy was called “reduccion”, and essentially meant a forced relocation of small, scattered settlements into one larger town.

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

ATTITUDE OF THE SPANISH CLERGY IN THE EARLY PHASE

Spanish friars was forced to learn the native language of the people’s they sought to convert. ADAPTATION OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE LOCAL CONTEXT

Filipinos were mostly animistic in their religious beliefs and practices prior to Spanish intervention.

On the other hand, Spanish clergy were very On the other hand, Spanish clergy were very destructive of local religious practices. They destructive of local religious practices. They

systematically destroyed indigenous holy places systematically destroyed indigenous holy places and and ‘idols’ ‘idols’ or statues and representations of or statues and representations of

indigenous spirits, gods or goddesses.indigenous spirits, gods or goddesses.

They also tried to stamp out all examples of They also tried to stamp out all examples of native scripts and literature for fear that Filipinos native scripts and literature for fear that Filipinos were using exotic symbols to foment rebellion. were using exotic symbols to foment rebellion.

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

The Spanish also imposed new The Spanish also imposed new ‘moralities’ ‘moralities’ on on Filipinos by discouraging slave holding, polygamy, Filipinos by discouraging slave holding, polygamy,

gambling and alcohol consumption that were a natural gambling and alcohol consumption that were a natural part of the indigenous social and religious practices. part of the indigenous social and religious practices.

Spanish clergy introduced some very European features of Spanish clergy introduced some very European features of Catholic practice that blended well with indigenous ritual Catholic practice that blended well with indigenous ritual

practices. practices.

Spanish Catholic priests relied on vivid, Spanish Catholic priests relied on vivid, theatrical presentations of the Bible in order to theatrical presentations of the Bible in order to

help Filipinos understand the central messages of help Filipinos understand the central messages of Christianity.Christianity.

This colonial legacy lives on whenever Filipino This colonial legacy lives on whenever Filipino Catholics reenact through religious dramas such Catholics reenact through religious dramas such as the Passion of Christ or Christ’s Martyrdom as the Passion of Christ or Christ’s Martyrdom

during Holy Week.during Holy Week.

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

“The beginning of a Pasyon play, Manila.”

“Christ and two disciples in the Garden of Gethsamane.”

“The Devil tempts Christ.”

Examples of Examples of Religious Dramas Religious Dramas Being Reenacted Being Reenacted

by Filipino by Filipino Catholics. Catholics.

RELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIODRELIGIOUS RESULTS DURING SPANISH PERIOD

“The Crucifixion of Christ and the Two Thieves.”

“Christ is led away by Roman soldiers.”