# Hypocrisy of Religious Institutions in El Filibusterismo

> Theme guide for El Filibusterismo by José Rizal.

The friars are portrayed as greedy, corrupt, and self-serving, using religion to justify exploitation, as seen in Padre Camorra's lechery, Padre Salví's manipulation, and the church's land-grabbing.

## Where it surfaces

- [Translator's Introduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/translator-s-introduction): The friars, particularly Padre Dámaso and Padre Salví, are depicted as corrupt and manipulative, using religion for personal gain.
- [I: On the Upper Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/i-on-the-upper-deck): Padre Salví and Padre Camorra, despite their religious roles, engage in worldly arguments about engineering and dismiss scientists, showing the clergy's resistance to progress.
- [On the Lower Deck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/ii-on-the-lower-deck): Padre Florentino's forced priesthood and the contrast with the friars' arrogance highlight the hypocrisy and corruption within the Church.
- [Legends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/iii-legends): Padre Salví's discomfort and the frivolous tone of the clergy when discussing serious matters, such as the miracle of St. Nicholas, underscore the hypocrisy within religious institutions.
- [Los Baños](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xi-los-ba-os): Padre Camorra's violent opposition to native education and Padre Sibyla's concern for prestige over progress expose the hypocrisy within the religious orders.
- [In the House of the Students](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xiv-in-the-house-of-the-students): Pecson points out the irony of moral objections to night classes while novenaries and processions are held at night, highlighting the friars' selective application of morality.
- [The Tribulations of a Chinese](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvi-the-tribulations-of-a-chinese): Friars and government officials attend Quiroga's dinner and patronize his store, yet they publicly criticize Chinese immigration and competition, showing their duplicity.
- [The Quiapo Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xvii-the-quiapo-fair): The wooden figures depict friars as elegant and saintly, contrasting with their real behavior, such as Padre Camorra's lecherous advances and the group's mockery.
- [Legerdemain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xviii-legerdemain): The talking head's story directly accuses ancient Egyptian priests of corruption and persecution, mirroring the friars' own abuses and causing Padre Salví's terror.
- [XX: The Arbiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xx-the-arbiter): The chapter shows how the conventos (religious orders) influence Don Custodio's decision by increasing their gifts, revealing the hypocrisy and political maneuvering of the church.
- [Smiles and Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxv-smiles-and-tears): Pecson's speech mocks the friars' self-serving influence, highlighting their control over all aspects of life while claiming piety.
- [Exit Capitan Tiago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxix-exit-capitan-tiago): Padre Irene and the clergy prioritize wealth over piety, granting Capitan Tiago a grand funeral despite his lack of confession, and manipulating his will for church benefit.
- [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-wedding): The wedding's religious ceremony contrasts with the violent plot and the moral decay of the elite guests.
- [The Fiesta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxv-the-fiesta): Padre Salví and Padre Irene's presence at the fiesta, smiling and content, contrasts with their moral corruption, reinforcing the hypocrisy of religious figures.
- [Ben-Zayb's Afflictions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxvi-ben-zayb-s-afflictions): Padre Camorra's pranks and the friars' behavior contrast with their religious roles, and Ben-Zayb's article glorifies the friars' cowardice as heroism.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/endnotes): Retana's note and the translator's comments highlight the friars' pride and refusal to engage in frank dialogue, as well as their control over education.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/themes/hypocrisy_of_religious_institutions
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/themes