Teodoro Cruz "Ted" Bacani Jr. (born January 16, 1940) is a Dominican, who became the first bishop of Novaliches on January 16, 2003, serving until November 25, 2003. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila from 1984 to 2002.
Teodoro Bacani Jr. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches | |||||||||||||||||||||
 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(s) | Spiritual advisor of El Shaddai (2003–) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Manila (1984–2002) Titular Bishop of Gauriana (1984–2002) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coat of arms |  | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ordination history | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 who expressed 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]