Novaliches priests see Bacani acquittal

For the priests of the Roman Catholic diocese of Novaliches, there could be no other verdict except acquittal for their bishop, Teodoro Bacani Jr., from charges of sexual harassment.

Monsignor Jesus Romulo Rañada, spokesman for the diocese, said they expect Bacani to return soon once the papal nuncio, Pope John Paul II’s representative, announces the results of the Vatican investigation into the allegation.

Bacani denied the sexual harassment but admitted making an "inappropriate expression of affection" toward his secretary, who resigned in March shortly after the incident.

"We are confident that Bishop Bacani will be acquitted and he will be back soon to resume his duties," Rañada said.

"We believe Bishop Bacani. Our parishioners believe him," said Fr. Mike Lagrimas, parish priest of the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Kabayanan, Novaliches. "The parishioners continue to flock to the church. They still have the faith."

The parish even published a newsletter branding the allegation as a lie and urging the faithful not to issue comments to the press on the scandal.

"Let the media people talk, anyway that is their livelihood. That is how they earn a living, stretching stories, even if it is not true," stated a front page article in Filipino.

Bacani celebrated Mass every Sunday last September before he was named bishop of the newly formed diocese earlier this year.

Mike Velarde, leader of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai, said he believed Bacani meant nothing malicious in showing affection to his secretary. Bacani is El Shaddai’s spiritual adviser.

"Touch is very important to show compassion. We can say a lot by touching even without actually saying a word. But now this incident has given this a different meaning," said Velarde, who led a prayer rally Saturday in Parañaque City supporting Bacani.

Parishioners are encouraged to show affection for one another, he said. "That is our culture."

El Shaddai would retain Bacani as its spiritual adviser even if he is found guilty by the Vatican, which appoints bishops to local dioceses. In the Catholic church, bishops are accountable to the Pope.

"Our trust and confidence remains with Bishop Bacani. We have no intention of replacing him," Velarde said.

"Let us not prejudge Bishop Bacani and the case," said Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who knows Bacani. "The bishop has dedicated his life to the Church. He always had total obedience and respect to the Church."

"I appeal for sobriety and fairness to all concerned. Let us wait for the final judgment from the Vatican," Caloocan City Rep. Enrico Echiverri said in a statement. "It will not do any good to float degrading statements at the expense of truth and fairness, both to the accuser and the accused."

Bacani left last week for a three-week vacation in the United States just as the scandal was erupting.

A report by newsmagazine Newsbreak, which broke the scandal, said the secretary, in her mid-30s, recently complained to church officials and a left-wing feminist group, Gabriela, that Bacani made sexual advances toward her twice, most recently on March 23 when he tried to hug her. She has resigned as his secretary.

In a statement issued shortly before he departed for the United States, Bacani said he was "deeply sorry for the consequences of any inappropriate expression of affection to my secretary." However, he "strongly" denied the allegation in an open letter to his diocese.

Bacani, 63, was among the most vocal church leaders who actively opposed the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s and later helped draft a new constitution.

Known for his advocacy of the poor, he is considered an activist in a church considered a bastion of conservatism.

Bacani has gained national attention as a critic of public utilities and of government policies, using a regular newspaper column as his pulpit.

The Catholic church claims more than 80 percent of Filipinos as followers and church leaders often criticize public policies on matters like population control, human rights and national security. — With Nikko Dizon, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero