 Bracken accompanied Taufer to Manila on his way back to Hong Kong, together with Rizal's sister, Narcisa, on March 14, 1895.Rizal applied for marriage but because of his writings and political stance, the local priest Father Obach, would only agree to the ceremony if Rizal obtain permission from the Bishop of Cebu.Either the Bishop did not write him back or Rizal was not able to mail the letter because of Taufer's sudden departure.