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Teodoro Bacani Jr.

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The Most Reverend
Teodoro Bacani Jr.
OP
Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches
Bishop Bacani, circa 2019.
Bishop Bacani, circa 2019.
Church Catholic Church
Diocese Novaliches
Appointed December 7, 2002
Installed January 16, 2003
Term ended November 25, 2003
Predecessor Position established
Successor Antonio Tobias
Other post Spiritual advisor of El Shaddai (2003–)
Previous posts Auxiliary Bishop of Manila (1984–2002)
Titular Bishop of Gauriana (1984–2002)
Member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission
In office
June 2, 1986 – October 15, 1986
President Corazon Aquino
Orders
Ordination December 21, 1965
by Rufino Santos
Consecration April 12, 1984
by Bruno Torpigliani
Personal details
Born Teodoro Cruz Bacani Jr.
January 16, 1940
Balanga, Bataan, Philippine Commonwealth
Ordination history
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained by
Rufino Santos
Date
December 21, 1965
Place
Manila Cathedral
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecrator
Bruno Torpigliani
Co-consecrators
Amado Paulino y Hernandez
Paciano Aniceto
Date
April 12, 1984
Place
Manila Cathedral

Teodoro "Ted" Cruz Bacani Jr., OP (born January 16, 1940) is a Filipino Catholic prelate of the Dominican Order who served as Bishop of Novaliches from January to November 2003, when he resigned after a sexual harassment scandal. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila from 1984 to 2002.

Career

Bacani was ordained priest on December 21, 1965, in the Diocese of Iba in Zambales.[1] He was also a former dean and professor in theology at the San Carlos Seminary.[2] He served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila and titular bishop of Gauriana from 1984 to 2002.[3] He is also the spiritual advisor of the El Shaddai charismatic group.[4]

Following the creation of the Diocese of Novaliches on December 7, 2002, by Pope John Paul II, Bacani was appointed as its first bishop.[5] He was appointed as bishop of the diocese on January 16, 2003, on his 63rd birthday.[3] In April 2003, Bacani was accused of sexually harassing his 33-year old personal secretary. He denied the allegations but admitted to making "inappropriate expression of affection" to her.[6] He was backed by the diocese and El Shaddai, with both expressing confidence in Bacani.[7] He resigned from the position on November 25, 2003.[3]

On August 15, 2019, Bacani joined the Order of Preachers.[8]

Political involvement

Bacani was among the critics of the administration of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos.[7] He was among the framers of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.[9] Amidst the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, he supported the "search for the truth" behind allegations that Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections.[10]

Bacani was critical of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III which he says is just used as a means for bribery. He alleged the DAP was used to bribe senators so that Renato Corona could be impeached.[11]

Bacani also oppose the purchase of contraceptives by the Philippine government which he believes is detrimental.[12]

Bacani joined other members of the clergy in condemning the war on drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte.[13][14]

For the 2022 presidential elections, Bacani disavowed El Shaddai leader's Mike Velarde's endorsement of then-candidate Bongbong Marcos's campaign. While he maintain he respect's Velarde's position, he called the endorsement as "very wrong" pointing out the reputation of the Marcos family's corruption.[15]

References

  1. Back to citation "Bishop Teodoro Cruz Bacani, Jr". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  2. Back to citation Rufo, Aries (June 6, 2013). "The fall of the rising star". Rappler. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  3. Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 Back to citation occurrence 3.2 "Pope Accepts Resignation Of Bishop Teodoro Bacani". UCA News. Union of Catholic Asian News. November 25, 2003. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  4. Back to citation Shaw, Kathy (August 22, 2003). "Bacani returns to El Shaddai mass". Poynter. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  5. Back to citation Samonte, Severino (August 30, 2019). "Diocese of Novaliches gets its 3rd bishop". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  6. Back to citation Aravilla, Jose (November 26, 2003). "Vatican accepts Bacani resignation". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  7. Back to citation occurrence 7.0 Back to citation occurrence 7.1 Aravilla, Jose (June 16, 2003). "Novaliches priests see Bacani acquittal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  8. Back to citation Aquino, Leslie Ann (October 6, 2020). "Retired Bishop Bacani now part of Dominican family". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  9. Back to citation Baroña, Franco Jose C; Cueto, Francis Earl; Tolentino, Maria Reina Leanne (August 15, 2022). "FVR helped restore democracy – bishop". Manila Times. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  10. Back to citation Diaz, Jess (August 4, 2006). "Bishop Bacani joins impeachment complaints". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  11. Back to citation Franche-Borja, Doris (October 4, 2013). "New 'evil' ang DAP – Obispo". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  12. Back to citation Franche-Borja, Doris (September 9, 2011). "Pondo sa contraceptives pinababantayan". Pilipino Star Ngayon. The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  13. Back to citation Romero, Alexis (January 25, 2017). "Panelo says Duterte free to express opinion vs Catholic Church". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  14. Back to citation So, Levi (January 25, 2017). "Bishop Bacani to Duterte: We serve at the pope's pleasure, not yours". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  15. Back to citation "El Shaddai adviser disowns Marcos endorsement: Don't vote for Marcos". Rappler. February 14, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
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