Father James J. Bacik was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio on May 26, 1962.  He currently serves as pastor of Corpus Christi University Parish and is a campus minister and adjunct professor of humanities at the University of Toledo.  Father Bacik holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England.  He previously taught at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati and was a campus minister at Bowling Green State University.

Father Bacik is the author of several books, including: Apologetics and the Eclipse of Mystery, Contemporary Theologians, and most recently with Dr. Kevin Anderson, A Light Unto My Path, published by Paulist Press in 2006.  In addition to his eight titles and numerous articles and chapters, he served as the writer for the committee that produced the 1985 pastoral letter on campus ministry from the U.S. Bishops, Empowered By The Spirit: Campus Ministry Faces the Future.  On January 5, 1995, the Catholic Campus Ministry Association awarded Father Bacik the prestigious Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Award, "in recognition of his extraordinary support for campus ministry through his writing, teaching, creative programming and unwavering dedication."  

Recognized for his leadership on both the local and national levels, Siena Heights University bestowed the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree upon Father Bacik in 1996.  In 2007, he was awarded the honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Neumann College.  Additionally, he is the 2001 recipient of the Lourdes College Newman Award, and was inducted into the Order of the Celtic Cross by Central Catholic High School - his alma mater - the same year.

One of Father Bacik's most recent undertakings has been the development of the Christian Leadership Program (CLP) at Corpus Christi University Parish.  Each year, twelve Catholic first-year students at the University of Toledo are awarded $5,000 scholarships as part of a four-year commitment to theological and leadership development.  CLP has garnered national recognition from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for its ability to develop leaders for the future of Church and society.  He also continues to publish his monthly series, "Reflections," in which he applies theological study and spirituality to current events.

Father Bacik's many accomplishments have led Richard P. McBrien, the Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, to write: "James Bacik is one of North America's finest, most insightful theologians, with a remarkable capacity for clear writing and effective teaching."