The concept of Catholicism interspersed with the pursuit of Rizalism proffers a stark contradiction, notably if one is drawn to the historical facts that led to the martyrdom of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Delineated images of oppressive friars during the 19th century elucidated by Rizal himself in his novels do not seem to augur a congenial dynamics between a devout Catholic and a staunch Rizalist.
Estrangement between these two beliefs ploddingly evolved over the years. The pendulum of time has reoriented the mode of acceptance and understanding between these two opposing forces. The Catholic Church has found a way of broadening its point of view about Rizal’s vision on social justice. Members of the clergy has since welcomed the concept of interfaith in their mission. Priests enveloping Rizal’s vision lessened the alienation to those who adhere to the latter’s teachings.
It was in December 1996 when Reverend Father Terence Edmund Gallagher, S.F.M., known to many as Father Terry, was fully drawn to Dr. Jose Rizal through his formal introduction to Roberto Lavidez and his Rizaliana paintings. Roberto Lavidez is a poet, writer, and 2024 lone Canadian recipient of Presidential ‘Pamana ng Pilipino’ Award, a recognition bestowed by the President of the Philippines for his initiative, “International Rizaliana Art Tour,” among other citations. Also a visual artist, Roberto commemorated Rizal’s martyrdom centenary in 1996 on canvas that eventually generated multiple exhibition series for over 28 years.
Roberto started with “Alay Kay Rizal,” one of which was displayed at the “International Salon,” Ward Nasse Gallery, New York City. A month later, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Los Angeles, California hosted the exhibition. Six months later, Roberto’s series, “Noli Me Tangere”, found its space at the Philippine Embassy to the Holy See in Vatican. This exhibition drew the presence of many heads of state, Vatican officials, 25 Ambassadors from different countries, Archbishops, priests, and nuns.
Father Terry and Roberto crossed paths right after the latter’s arrival from his Vatican sojourn. Their initial conversation about Lavidez’s Rizal exhibition in Vatican kickstarted a robust introduction. It piqued Father Terry’s interest, inspiring him to write an article about said exhibition entitled “Embracing Rizal” which was published by Balita newspaper in January 1997.
Here’s a compelling excerpt of Father Terry’s article:
…“100 years after Rizal’s death, after he was branded a ‘traitor’ and ‘heretic’ by the Spanish government and Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines, he is welcomed, lauded, and celebrated in the very bosom of the Holy Mother of Church in Rome. Just as it was with his death, Rizal’s triumphant entry into Rome will go unnoticed by many. But it has happened, and we need to be profoundly grateful to Roberto Lavidez, the gifted and humble artist from Canada, and the inspired and lifetime student of the life and work of Rizal. Lavidez has brought honour and dignity to the person of Rizal, to all Filipinos, and indeed to all people who have the courage to fight in the name of love for one’s land, people, and culture, even if it means giving up one’s life blood… Seeds were sown in Rome and in the Vatican when these simple, stark paintings of Rizal were exhibited in the December winter of Europe…”
Father Terry is a missionary priest from the Scarboro Foreign Missions. In 1967, a year after his ordination, Father Terry travelled to the Philippines. He served in various parishes at the Diocese of Maasin, Southern Leyte, thus his fluency in speaking the Cebuano language. His five years of spiritual interaction with the parishioners in this remote place left a remarkable imprint on the lives of many families. This is quite evident from the testimonials of those who were impacted by Father Terry’s ministries.
After completing his Philippine mission, Father Terry continued his missionary priesthood in Scarborough. As a component of his educational mandate, Father Terry became particularly active in promoting interfaith dialogue among the multicultural and religious communities across Ontario, Canada, and the world.
Father Terry’s pursuit of interfaith dialogue served as an impelling force to intersect his mission with that of Roberto’s vision. With Rizal’s works and teachings as their common ground, Father Terry organized a Holy Week Retreat at Artsite, Roberto’s then studio gallery. Father Terry invited community members from all cultures and religious faiths across Ontario. With Roberto as Resource Speaker, Father Terry used Lavidez’s Rizaliana paintings as erudition reference for participants to reflect on its significance to the Lenten celebration of the Catholic church.
Consequently, this retreat became a precursor to Father Terry becoming a spiritual mentor for Roberto’s succeeding Rizaliana series. During the formal launch of Roberto’s large painting, “Requiem for Rizal,” Father Terry recited an insightful prayer and blessing. In every Canadian city where Roberto exhibited, Father Terry was often present to buoy up and recite his words of supplication.
In between exhibitions and events, Father Terry would share his own personal activities with Roberto and his family through letters and photos in the mail, often produced on neon coloured paper marked with his own handwritten scribbles. In his letters, Father Terry would also write about his marathons and running activities as he shares the same passion for this sport with Roberto. Sometimes, Father Terry would visit Roberto’s household to discuss about anything that may not have been included in his letters. His rumbustious laughter followed by his signature melodious singing would reverberate throughout the night.
It was during Roberto’s exhibition in 2002 at the Chinese Cultural Centre Gallery in Scarborough when a strange “technical interference” occurred. On the night of the opening reception, the electrical power went on and off, lights flickering intermittently, causing an unusual malfunction of the audio and video systems. While this was going on, one journalist covering the event said that his camera won’t work which was odd because he knew it was working minutes before the reception started.
The following day, OMNI television crew was about to start Roberto’s interview at the gallery when their video camera started flickering its light continuously for one minute and then stopped working. The cameraman was baffled. He just tested it and worked fine. He said it was the first time he experienced such occurrence.
When Father Terry visited the gallery, he pondered that the technical interference may have manifested as a spiritual communiqué from the departed images who were painted alongside Rizal on Roberto’s murals for this exhibition. Beyond the disruption, he said these souls may be reaching out from the metaphysical to the physical universe using the medium of technology. After this incident, technical interference rendered an extramundane meaning to those who experienced it.
As it is in life, change is always inevitable. Father Terry’s presence in Roberto’s succeeding exhibitions gradually waned. Though it was unintentional, the core of their friendship persisted. Neither apathy nor antipathy bursted forth from each other’s physical absence.
While this article was being written, the same technical interference occurred. Lights were flashing again. For the first time in a decade, the internet connection was flashing an error message, oddly disabling an easy fix. The first technician could not figure it out so she sent another technician to fix it on site. After ruling out a snowstorm outage, the repairman was asked about the cause of the malfunction. With unsureness written all over his face, all he needed to say was, “it happens.”
In the throes of Father Terry’s passing, he sends a pensive message from beyond to Roberto and his family through this familiar medium of technical interference. There is no more second guessing about Father Terry’s new realm as he leaves his spiritual footprint in their earthly lives. True to his lifetime mission, Father Terry manages to bequeath hope and wisdom as Roberto and his family continue to appreciate their aliveness and pushes their ikigai even more as stalwart artists.
Rest in perpetual peace and boundless Rizalism, Father Terry. Grateful beyond measure for everything that you have done for humanity. ####