# Who is Padre Damaso in Noli Me Tangere?

> Noli Me Tangere by José Rizal

## Answer

Padre Damaso Verdolagas is the loud, cruel friar whose sermon opens the novel’s political wound: he insults Don Rafael Ibarra from the pulpit and reveals the clergy’s contempt for Filipino merit. He bullies Filipinos in Spanish, eats well, and treats women as property — including Doña Pia, making him Maria Clara’s father in Rizal’s devastating irony.

Damaso is not subtle; he is the system without polish. Salvi’s scheming complements his bluster. Searchers meet him at the dinner and sermon chapters; guide them to lxii’s explanations when they need plot secrets tied to his past.

## Evidence

- [iii-the-dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/iii-the-dinner.md): Damaso dominates the table talk on Ibarra’s return.
- [xxxi-the-sermon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/xxxi-the-sermon.md): Damaso’s sermon attacks Don Rafael’s burial and memory.
- [lxii-padre-d-maso-explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/noli_me_tangere_se/chapters/lxii-padre-d-maso-explains.md): Damaso’s revelations about Maria Clara’s birth.

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