Father Damaso

Father Damaso or Padre Damaso is one of the notorious characters in the novel Noli Me Tangere. The novel was written by José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not or "Social Cancer") is a controversial novel that exposed the abuses of the Spanish Friars (belonging to the Roman Catholic Church) and the Spanish elite during colonial Philippines in the 1800's. The novel represented the state of Phililppine society under Spanish colonial rule. The novel was intended as a wake-up call for Filipinos. Filipinos were not allowed into the clergy then.

Father Damaso, a Franciscan priest, was the former curate of the town of San Diego. His secret past was revealed when Father Salvi discloses to Maria Clara that Father Damaso is her true father.

"Anak ni Padre Damaso" meaning "child of Father Damaso" has become a stereotype or classic cliche in the Philippines to refer to a Caucasian or half-Caucasian child whose father is unknown, or a Spanish clergy or implying a Spanish clergy.

See also

• Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal