Father James J. Bacik is a widely-regarded pastor, theologian, writer and lecturer who served as campus minister and adjunct professor of humanities at the University of Toledo for 30 years. According to Richard P. McBrien, Professor of Theology at Notre Dame University, he is “one of America’s finest, most insightful theologians, with a remarkable capacity for clear writing and effective teaching,”
Father Bacik was ordained in 1962 as a priest for the Diocese of Toledo and served at St. Mary’s Sandusky, St. Thomas More Bowling Green and Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo. He holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford in England and previously taught at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati as well as offering summer courses at Notre Dame and Fordham. He has lectured throughout the United States as well as in China, Latin America, Japan, Russia and Australia.
His books include Apologetics and the Eclipse of Mystery; Contemporary Theologians; Catholic Spirituality: Its History and Challenge; and A Light Unto My Path: Crafting Effective Homilies (co-authored by Dr. Kevin Anderson). He served as the writer for the committee that produced the 1985 American bishops’ pastoral letter on campus ministry, Empowered by the Spirit. For 34 years he has written a monthly theological article called Reflections and for 13 years did a weekly, half hour radio program on topics of current interest.
As pastor of Corpus Christi, he led some important initiatives: establishing a Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Toledo; building a new church and parish facility; organizing the nationally acclaimed Christian Leadership Program; and promoting an extensive Christian Service Program for students and permanent community members.
