Padre Damaso was reassigned to a distant town and later suffered a stroke.
In Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere,” Padre Damaso, a Spanish Franciscan friar, plays a significant role as an antagonist. Throughout the novel, he is depicted as a symbol of the corrupt and abusive Spanish clergy in the Philippines during the late 19th century. His character is known for his arrogance, racism, and the power he wields within the community.
As the story unfolds, Padre Damaso’s actions and decisions have severe consequences for the main characters, particularly for Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara. His meddling in their lives is driven by his desire to maintain his influence and uphold the church’s authority.
Towards the end of the novel, after a series of conflicts and revelations, Padre Damaso is transferred to a remote town as a punishment for his misdeeds and the scandals he has caused. This reassignment is seen as a demotion and a way to remove him from his position of power in San Diego.
Later, it is mentioned that Padre Damaso suffered a stroke, which left him paralyzed. This physical affliction is symbolic of his fall from grace and serves as a form of poetic justice for his actions throughout the novel. His health deteriorates, and he eventually dies, a broken man, reflecting the decline of the oppressive system he represented.
