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	Sad Day for Bacani and the Church ABS-CBN [Philippines] June 17, 2003 PEOPLE By BOB GARON What can I say about the Bishop Bacani issue that hasn't already been said? The media frenzy has been incredible and I did not want to add to it when the news broke. What can I say about the Bishop Bacani issue that hasn't already been said? The media frenzy has been incredible and I did not want to add to it when the news broke. I want to make a few quick points. The man was presumed guilty by the media until proven innocent. I remember Cardinal Bernadin in the States. Considered a holy man, he was accused of immorality and humiliated by a media blitz. Later, however, it was proven that he was falsely accused. But the damage was already done. Even if he was innocent, he was remembered by those who did not know him before the "scandal" as the prelate who stood accused of homosexual activity. When a serious false accusation is brought forth, there is always a measure of damage done to a man's reputation. Somehow, there is truth to the saying "throw enough mud and some is sure to stick." Well, you can be sure that, even if Bishop Bacani is innocent as the day is long, he will have mud on his priestly garments till the day he dies. There will always be even just a shadow of doubt (maybe the girl was paid off, maybe it's true even if she can't prove it, etc, etc.) because people have dirty minds. Another reason for the media frenzy is the person of the bishop. There are countless high government officials and powerful men who are fooling around with women and keeping mistresses. We all know it. But that is why it won't make headlines. Corrupt and immoral men in positions of power are not news anymore. A powerful good man, however, is newsworthy (even if he doesn't merit front-page headlines). The day the story broke, my wife told me I would soon get media invitations to comment. She was right. Within hours I got two. I turned them down because I didn't want to join the piranhas that were picking the man's reputation clean. Is the bishop guilty? I, of course, don't know. Whether guilty or innocent, however, he is already paying an awful price. It will, as they say, never be the same again. Meanwhile, the enemies of the Church smell blood and are already feasting on it. Regardless of the outcome, they will use this issue or non-issue as ammunition against the Church. It's sad, very sad.
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