Voice of Nationalism

Father Pedro Pelaez was better-off than the most of the Filipino priest in his time. Through industry, intelligence, and above all leadership. Father Pelaez rose rapidly to a high position in the Church hierarchy. He was Vicar-General of Manila, a magistrate and treasurer of La Sagrada Cathedral, and finally, acting Archbishop and Ecclesiastical Governor of Manila.


Although he had such good fortune, Pelaez found little peace of mind. He was deeply concerned about the poor lot of his own people, and the lack of opportunity for highly qualified Filipino priest. He then became the voice of the Filipino clergy in its crusade for fairness, equality, and truth.


A native of Manila, Father Pelaez was an offspring of Spanish father and a Tagalog mother. He earned a doctorate degree in canon law and theology.


The books that he wrote were: Documentos Sobre los Curatos de Filipinas, Exposicion al Sr. Gobernador Vice Patron Real de Filipinas con Defensas a los Derecho Preperados de Curo Secular (1862), and Collection de Cuestiones Canonicas v Teologicas. The first is nationalistic, presenting evidence against malpracticing Spanish priest. The second is an essay addressed to the governor presenting the rights of Filipino priest. The last is a compilation of church laws and questions.

In addition, Pelaez joined the movement giving Filipino priest a chance to run their own parishes by writing articles in La Verdad, a magazine published in Madrid. He also wrote for La Regeneracion, and founded and edited El Catolico Filipino in Manila. This local publications, apart from their religious content, became for many years the vehicle of nationalistic ideas

Father Pelaez's articles, although well-written and backed with enough evidence failed to induce the Church officials to mend their ways. All he got was respect for his literary ability and a high church position in the La Sagrada Catedral in Intramuros, Manila. Pelaez' nationalistic writings stopped only when he became a victim of Manila's destructive earthquake in 1863. He was inside the Manila Cathedral when the earthquake reduced it to rubbles.

Nine years later, Father Jose A. Burgos, another literary talent nationalist of the same caliber, met his death in the hands of the Spaniards.