The campaign of the Filipino seculars to administer parishes occupied by the Spanish regulars is known as what?

• A. Encomienda
• B. Secularization
• C. Nationalism
• D. Democratic

Answer: (B)

Secularization is the campaign by Filipino secular clergy to take over the administration of parishes then run by Spanish regulars. In colonial Philippines, parishes were controlled by orders such as the Dominicans and Augustinians, and Filipino priests argued that these parishes should be placed under the diocesan, or secular, clergy who belonged to the local church rather than to foreign religious orders. The goal was to have native priests manage parish affairs and resources, reducing foreign control and aligning church leadership with the Filipino population. This concept is distinct from terms referring to land systems, nationalist movements, or forms of government, which do not describe transferring parish authority from regular to secular clergy.