Bacani seeks forgiveness, reconciliation

He seeks forgiveness and reconciliation.

Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani expressed gratitude for the support he received from people who offered prayers on his behalf during his most trying moments.

"There is so much goodwill... I’m sure I do not deserve (it)," Bacani said at the 19th anniversary celebration of the El Shaddai Catholic charismatic group at Rizal Park in Manila Saturday night.

"I don’t deserve this love," a visibly relieved Bacani said. "It is just the mercy of God, the mercy of the people, that is really uplifting. It’s nice to be loved even though you feel you don’t deserve this love."

"It’s so overwhelming — not because you can say I’m a good guy, but (because) the people are so good and the Lord is so good," he said.

"Thank you, thank you. Thanks for the love and prayers that have been given to a person not worthy of that," Bacani said, addressing the El Shaddai members gathered at the Quirino Grandstand. "You have given it plentifully."

Bacani, 63, quietly returned to the Philippines late last Wednesday, 73 days after he left amid accusations he sexually harassed his former secretary. He has been staying with relatives.

The bishop gamely granted interviews with reporters at the El Shaddai anniversary celebration, his first public appearance since returning from Kansas.

Some of the bishop’s next of kin, including Manila fourth district Rep. Rudy Bacani, were at his side to provide moral support.

The scandal, which hit the headlines early last June, helped bring him closer to God, Bacani said. It made him look at himself, he said, and "pray more."

The scandal has also helped the Novaliches bishop "appreciate the goodness of so many people. I know how to be lifted up by the prayers and love of other people."

Smiling, Bacani even asked reporters how his face looks now, even as he admitted that the scandal initially made him tense.

"What do you see in my face? I seem happy and I attribute this to the prayers from the people," he added. He also attributed this change in him "to the fact that I was able to come into closer contact with myself and really be at peace with God and myself and be at peace with everybody."

However, Bacani was unwilling to tackle the issue of the sexual harassment charges against him and the Vatican’s investigation into the matter.

Bacani also said he hopes to be reconciled with everybody. "We are all children of God... we (should) learn to forgive and be forgiven, be at peace with one another."

Addressing his former secretary, Bacani said: "I am asking for forgiveness."

Bacani said he had a great time during his stay in Kansas, where he visited his 87-year-old mother. He also had his diabetes checked and was able to bring his blood sugar levels down to normal.

However, "the greater part of (the visit was) the happiness of being with my mother, who is 87 years old and has suffered (two) stroke(s) already. It was my great joy to be able to give her joy." While in Kansas, Bacani celebrated Mass for his mother daily.

Now that he is back in the country, Bacani said, "my plan is to stay here for the foreseeable future. Of course, things can change, but I am happy to be back."

Although Bishop Antonio Tobias was appointed apostolic administrator of the Novaliches Diocese, Bacani said he can go there to celebrate Mass.

"I have no special plans," Bacani said. "I have never been prohibited from officiating Mass at any religious function."

Bacani has acknowledged the Vatican’s appointment of an apostolic administrator for the Novaliches Diocese while the sexual harassment charges against him are under investigation.

"I do not know what the future holds for me," Bacani said. "But I do know who holds the future and that is God and that’s why it’s with that confidence that I look forward (to) the future ... I know God will make all things work together for good."

Exoneration?

Meanwhile, Bacani may be cleared of the charges against him if the Vatican’s pattern of deciding sexual offenses concerning priests is an indicator of things to come.

One of the investigators who helped the Apostolic Nuncio in Manila gather evidence in the case against Bacani hinted that the absence of any further evidence or compelling reasons may clear Bacani of the sexual harassment charges.

"The report we made was neither here nor there," the informant said. "It is just ‘he said’ and ‘she said.’"

The investigation report is now in the hands of the Vatican’s Congregation of Bishops, as submitted by Apostolic Nuncio Antonio Franco, for them to decide upon and use as a basis for their recommendations to the Pope.

Pope John Paul II, as the head of the Catholic Church, will have the last say on the matter.

But the Catholic Church’s seat of authority in Rome is said to be inclined to favor priests in situations that reach a point where the priest’s words are pitted against those of the complainant, especially if the complainant does not have a pristine reputation.

Bacani’s former secretary is 35 years old and has allegedly been having a relationship with a man who has yet to have his marriage annulled.

She filed the sexual harassment case against Bacani in late March and the investigation into the case began in April.

In cases where minors accuse Catholic clerics of sexual misconduct, "the balance is usually tilted in (the minors’) favor and against the priest," especially if there is no evidence except the testimonies of both parties, the source said. However, "in the case of adults complaining, it’s a different case."

Last week, Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez claimed he received reliable information that Bacani has been "exonerated" and that his return was imminent.

There were also reports that the Vatican may announce its verdict in September or October, after summer ends in Europe.