Bp.Isao's memo

Caritas India Golden Jubilee

2012-02-12T18:46:00.001+09:00

Caritas India is celebrating its 50th anniversary of foundation this year and there was an official ceremony in New Delhi on 20 and 21 January. Since I had been invited to join the celebration both as the president of Caritas Asia and Caritas Japan, I was there to enjoy quite cold winter weather of North India.

The ceremony was held in a Catholic School next to the cathedral of New Delhi. The secretariat of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India is also located in the same premises and Caritas India's head office is in that building.

The celebration was attended by more than 30 bishops who are in charge of management of Caritas India, more than 100 priests who are involved in regional Caritas activities, directors and coworkers of Caritas India and several government officials including Mr. Jairam Ramesh, the Minister for Rural Development and the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation who gave quite impressive speech.

Cardinal Toppo of Ranchi joined and celebrated Mass on the first day and Cardinal Gracias of Bombay joined on the second day and celebrated thanksgiving Mass in the Cathedral of New Delhi.

Minister Ramesh praised Caritas India for its contribution to national development and express his and the government hope that the Government agencies would have much more chance to work together with Caritas. He said he does not recognise Caritas as religious organisation but humanitarian organisation based on Catholic faith and, thus, it will be possible for the government to work together. However he also asked Catholic Church not to take specific political position which is against to national development such as saying No to nuclear development policy.

At least for this particular comment of the minister, Mr. Roy of Caritas Internationalis explained the position of Catholic Social Teachings during his own speech.

The 7th annual forum organised by the Conference of Religious Superiors@Osaka

2012-01-28T22:11:00.000+09:00

The 7th annual forum of both men and women religious superiors working in Japan was held in Osaka on 16 January. The annual event was organised jointly by Major Superiors' Conferences of Men and Women in Japan. More than 130 people, majority of them are superiors of their respected congregations, as provincials or district superiors and number of Mother Superiors of local congregations, working in Japan, gathered in Umeda Catholic Church, which is now called "Sacra Familia" to exchange ideas on evengelization effort in Japan. Several bishops, including myself, had been invited to give inputs on the theme, "Evangelization seen from the view point of local Church; Overcoming differences and work together".

Bishop Matsuura of Osaka and Bishop Otsuka of Kyoto shared about their experiences in respected dioceses of team shared ministries. I was also invited to share about the experience of relief activities of Caritas Japan during the recent disaster in Tohoku. Fr. Kanda of Osaka also shared his experience of working with people in Kobe area after 1995 earthquake.

Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Japan, was also invited and he also shared his ideas on Mission of the Church in perfect Japanese language. (Photo above)

After the lunch break. Sr. Watanabe who has been involved in the team ministry in Kobe and Ms. Yamano who is in charge of Catholic Social Action Center in Kobe joined 3 bishops for a panel discussion the theme.

Bishops and religious are not in adversary relationship but both diocesan bishops and religious congregations have their own priorities in mission activities in the area and sometimes these priorities differ a bit, not in general direction but in actual practices. Therefore it is quite important for both side to share ideas and try to find the way to work together. Especially for those religious congregations which have been engaged with institutions such as schools and hospitals sometimes face difficulties to follow the priorities set by local bishops for the mission of the diocese in maintaining and running their institutions effectively.

JINOMORI volunteer base opened @ OFUNATO

2012-01-18T13:57:00.001+09:00

OSAKA Ecclesiastical Province, which is comprised of dioceses of Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Nagoya, has opened their own center for volunteer activities in Tsunami stricken area of southern Iwate prefecture in a city called OFUNATO. The center is called "JINOMORI IKOI-no IE" which means a "home to take a break in JINOMORI". JINOMORI is name of the area.

Opening ceremony was held on 14 January, Saturday at 11 am with thanksgiving Mass celebrated in nearby Catholic Parish of OFUNATO presided over by Bishop Otsuka of Kyoto. Bishop Hiraga of Sendai and myself joined Bishop Otsuka and more than 15 priests also con-celebrated the Mass. After the Mass, a parish council president, Dr. YAMAURA greeted people packed in their relatively small chapel saying that they will never again see such a many bishops and priests celebrating Mass in their chapel while they are still alive. So this was the historical day in Ofunato parish, according to the doctor. Dr. YAMAURA is quite famous with his original colloquial translation of Bible in KESEN dialect. He read the gospel of the day in that translation during the Mass. Dr. YAMAURA, a medical Doctor, has been one of the main person to organise relief efforts in the area after the Tsunami disaster on March 11.

After the Mass and lunch in their Catholic KG, we all moved to the center, JINOMORI IKOI-no IE, to attend yet another ceremony to officially open the center with representatives from local community and local governments. Both city mayor of Ofunato and prefecture Governor of Iwate sent their delegates to attend the ceremony. At the beginning of the ceremony, Iwate prefecture government gave Caritas Japan a certificate of appreciation which I received on behalf of Caritas Japan. It was given because of our recent contribution to purchase heaters for MINASHI KASETSU housings for disaster victims. MINASHI KASESTU is houses or apartments hired by a local government to cover shortages of temporal housings which supposed to be built by them. Since MINASHI KASETSU are considered well built to resist cold weather, national government is not providing enough budget to purchase heaters for them. That is why, though I still have difficulty to understand why the national government is not willing to help, several NGOs decided to assist local governments in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima to purchase these heaters needed.

In 1960 after the Tsunami disaster caused by earthquake in Chile, Swiss missionaries built a house to provide a shelter for local people in this area. Yes, an earthquake in Chile caused massive tsunami in this area and so many people were killed at that time. Then the local people called the house "IKOI-no IE" and that is why the house is now named "JINOMORI IKOI-no IE" after the good memory of Swiss missionaries at that time. Osaka Ecclesiastical Province is now organising volunteers to visit the area regularly and also provide a free space for local people to gather together in the house to chat over tea and spend time or meet friends.

Confirmation In NAGAOKA-OMOTEMACHI

2012-01-09T21:31:00.000+09:00

On the day of feast of Epiphany, which is on Sunday in Japan, 5 people received the Sacrament of Confirmation in OMOTEMCHI Parish in Nagaoka, Niigata. The Confirmation supposed to be done in December last year, however, heavy snow fall in Sapporo prevented me to come back to Niigata after the dedication Mass of a new chapel of Kitahiroshima Parish in Hokkaido. So I was forced to postpone the visit of Nagaoka till 8 January. Since the parish priest, Fr. Takahashi and his assistants, Fr. Ferdy, SVD, and Fr.Lorenzo, SVD, are in charge of 3 parishes, namely Omotemachi, Fuluzumi and Tokamachi, those confirmed yesterday came from all these 3 parishes.

Also the crucifix which has been relayed through parishes in the diocese to commemorate 100th anniversary of the establishment of Niigata diocese has arrived in Nagaoka from Sanjo during the Mass yesterday. More than 10 parishioners with their parish priest, Fr. Ishiguro from Sanjo brought the crucifix to Omotemachi and handed it over to the congregation of Omotemachi. It will stay with them for 2 weeks before moving to Aoyama parish. After the Mass, a humble tea party was held in a parish hall so that 3 communities, Omotemachi, Fukuzumi and Sanjo, have enough chance to know each other better. As the crucifix come with a note book and each parish communities are supposed to complete 2 pages with messages to rest of the diocese, members of Omotemachi already started to fill in a huge space of the note book with their messages.

In order to deepen our faith in this occasion of the centenary of the diocese, we should have organised a pilgrimage to visit all the parish communities in the diocese by ourselves. Our Church is the pilgrim church and our life itself is also a journey. As the Lumen Gentium 48 of Vat II says that "the Church will attain its full perfection only in the glory of heaven," our life itself is also a journey and pilgrimage. A journey is always characterised with uncertainty. We do not know what will happen next and we will never be able to attain the perfect goal by ourselves. So going to pilgrimage reminds us of the meaning of our lives as journey. Unfortunately it is not easy to organise real walking travel as pilgrimage in our situation but, instead of ourselves, the crucifix which is the One unite us under the same faith is going around for pilgrimage of the diocese. So it is not the one or two weeks event in parishes to accommodate the crucifix in their chapels. We just spend a day to carry it to next station but through that experience we should join entire journey of pilgrimage together with the crucifix and with our brothers and sisters in the diocese.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:23:00.000+09:00

Bright light shines in deep darkness like beacon to direct people to a safe place. Photo above is a night view of Otsuchi volunteer base in Iwate which I have mentioned in my last post. As a new year, 2012, begins, I hope and pray that we, those who know or experienced real and true light which is in Jesus Christ, to become such source of light in darkness and be able to deliver message of hope to many people struggling to find the way to follow.

I thank all of you for your prayer and support which made me able to continue my apostolate as bishop. Kindly continue to remember me in prayer. Also I sincerely thank all of you for your kind words, donations and prayer to support and to show your solidarity with people in earthquake and tsunami affected area. Also kindly continue to do so for them throughout the year 2012. They still need your support.

Happy New Year!

Bishop Isao Kikuchi, SVD

Otsuchi volunteer base completed

2011-12-29T21:26:00.001+09:00

On 13 December, more than 60 people including 3 bishops, Bishop Hiraga of Sendai, Bishop Hamaguchi of Oita and myself, and more than 10 priests gathered together in a former business hotel in town of Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture to celebrate opening of a volunteer base for Nagasaki ecclesiastical province. Bishop Hamaguchi, who is the one in charge of volunteer operation of Nagasaki ecclesiastical province, was a main celebrant of the dedication Mass of the volunteer base which used to be a business hotel owned by a Catholic from Morioka city. On 11 March, town of Otsuchi was one of so many coastal communities which were hit by massive Tsunami. The town lost more than 800 people including their town mayor and still more than 500 people are missing.

The business hotel was also hit by tsunami and, though first and second floor were submerged into water, building structure remained intact. So it was used by volunteers from nearby Kamaishi Catholic Church as center of activities immediately after the disaster. Then when Japanese bishops decided to ask Nagasaki ecclesiastical province with 5 dioceses to concentrate their relief activities in central and north coastal area of Iwate, the owner of the hotel, Mr. Michimata, offered the building to be used by the Nagasaki team as their base of activities.

Archbishop Takami of Nagasaki appointed Fr. Furuki, SDB, who had been an assistant secretary general of Nagasaki diocese to be in charge of the project to rehabilitate the hotel and make it ready to be a base of volunteer activities. It took longer than usual since it was quite difficult to find professional assistance to rehabilitate the building as contractors are busy helping victims.

The base is now standing out of no-where. It used to be surrounded by many buildings but today it is standing almost alone. Fr. Furuki wrote once in his report that when evening comes the base stands in darkness as torch light of hope since it is only a very few building with light at this moment.

I joined the dedication Mass with Mr. Tadokoro, the director general of Caritas Japan. Caritas Japan is fully supporting the project and will continue to be with volunteers of Otsuchi base.

Christmas greetings

2011-12-28T13:21:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas!

Sorry for this belated Christmas greetings. I had a wonderful Christmas celebration with parishioners of Niigata Cathedral. I presided over 24th 8pm Mass and 25th 10am Mass. It was terribly cold in Niigata but many people including quite a number of non-Christians joined the community for the celebration.

Any how, I wish all of you a very merry Christmas. First and most , on behalf of Niigata and Sapporo dioceses, I would like to thank all of you for your dedicated service and contribution to Church activities throughout the year 2011, especially your willingness to do something for victims of March 11 disaster. Thank you so much. As for supporting these victims, we have to continue to remember them in our prayer and maintain our willingness to be with them. Next year, 2012, Niigata diocese is celebrating 100 anniversary of establishment. So I ask you to pray for Niigata diocese. Also kindly pray for Sapporo diocese so that they may get their new bishop as soon as possible.

Then on behalf of Caritas Asia, I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful cooperation and contribution for activities of Caritas Asia throughout year 2011 which, we may say, a year of
continuous natural calamities. I hope and pray that the light which will be shinning in darkness tonight as we celebrate the mystery of incarnation of Word of God may reach all the people affected by these disasters through our work and prayer.

Also on behalf of Caritas Japan, I would like to thank you sincerely for your kind words and contribution for victims of March 11 disaster in Japan. We are all grateful to your significant ways to show your solidarity with us. Kindly continue to remember us in your prayer.

Caritas Asia finally appointed Mr. Eleazar Gomez from Philippines and a member of NASSA as our next regional coordinator. He will take his post by 1 February in Bangkok. Fr. Bonnie Mendes, our present regional coordinator, will be with the office in Bangkok till the end of February. I welcome Mr. "Zar" Gomez sincerely and thank Fr. Bonnie for his dedicated service for all of us. I am sure we all have more chance to work with Fr. Bonnie in Caritas activities.

I wish you a Happy New Year.

Yours,

Bishop Isao Kikuchi, SVD
President, Caritas Asia & Caritas Japan
Bishop of Niigata
Apostolic administrator of Sapporo

New regional coordinator for caritas asia appointed

2011-12-20T11:37:00.002+09:00

Yesterday morning, on 19 December, the regional commission of Caritas Asia met in the office of CA in Bangkok to conduct an interview with 3 shortlisted candidates for the post of regional coordinator of Caritas Asia.

After the interview and due discussion, the regional commission has come to a decision to choose one of candidates as next regional coordinator.

I am happy to announce that Mr. Eleazar Gomez, known as "Zar", is our next regional coordinator to succeed Fr. Bonnie Mendes who generously agreed to extend his term of office to offer his service to Caritas Asia.

Mr. Eleazar Gomez is from Philippines and currently working with NASSA, Caritas Philippines. After due process, we expect him to take his post by 1st February, 2012. Fr. Bonnie will be with us until the end of February.

I would like to thank Fr. Bonnie (photo above) for his generosity to work for us for much longer than what had been expected. I am sure we will have more chance to work with Fr. Bonnie in Caritas programs. I welcome Mr. Gomez and pray for abundant blessings of Almighty Father over his new job as our regional coordinator.

The Niigata centenary crucifix relay got rolling

2011-12-12T20:20:00.000+09:00

As you may have already read about it on my previous post on 27 November, to commemorate 100 anniversary of establishment of Niigata diocese in 2012, a crucifix relay had commenced on 20 November in Niigata Cathedral. Two crucifix had been blessed and sent out to go around all parishes in the diocese and will return to the Cathedral on 7 and 8 October next year. Actual relay got rolling on 4 December when 25 parishioners of Niigata Cathedral led by Fr. Ebe, the parish priest, made fraternal visit to neighboring Hanazono parish with one of two crucifix. The crucifix was brought into the Hanazono chapel at the beginning of Mass by Mr. Saito of Niigata Cathedral and placed next to the main alter. Then Fr. Fernando, a parish priest of Hanazono, blessed the crucifix and celebrated Mass with Fr. Ebe which was followed by a tea party. One of the main purpose of this relay is to develop mutual and fraternal relationship among Catholic communities in the diocese so that this kind of actual exchange of members are very important. The second crucifix is traveling to Sanjo on 18 December.

The crucifix is travelling with a note book (Photo above). Every one of the parish community where the crucifix are stopping are welcome to leave your own comment. It will be displayed at the end of the relay during the centennial diocesan congress on 7 and 8 October in Niigata.

Visitation of the convent of Poor Clares in Takada@Joetsu

2011-11-30T17:38:00.000+09:00

After the Priest Senate meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Niigata Cathedral, I had to travel to Takada in Joetsu city. It was 2 hours drive through Hokuriku motor way to south from Niigata. I had to travel to Takada for the official visitation of the convent of Poor Clares. There are a community of Poor Clares Sisters in Joetsu which was invited by my predecessor, late Bishop Sato who was a Franciscan. The community of Takada in Joetsu is under a local bishop and according to their statute, the local bishop has to make an official visit every 3 years. During the visitation, an election of mother superior and her assistant has to be conducted and the bishop has to be present with the community. Also before the election, I have to interview all the members of the community. So these are my official duties as Bishop of Niigata.

There are only 7 members in the community and 2 out of these 7 are residing outside the convent because of their age and health. So I had to meet with only 5 members. It is a small community.

Today Sr. Gushiken was elected as mother superior of the community and present superior, Sr.Ohmi was elected as an assistant. They are a small community but obediently offer daily prayers for us to support the apostolate of Niigata diocese. Their prayers are powerful. So it is also our duty to pray for them, especially for their vocation.

Photo above is a front view of the convent and below is inside the convent. Of course, this is a section open to public.

Feast day of Christ the King @ Niigata Cathedral

2011-11-27T18:48:00.000+09:00

This year's Christ the King feast was on 20 November according to the Catholic liturgy calendar and it was the last Sunday of the year before we begin a new cycle from first Sunday of Advent on 27 November. Our Cathedral in Niigata has been dedicated to Christ the King and, thus, 20 November was a feast day for the Cathedral community. As usual, I celebrated a Mass in which one young student originated from Akita has been confirmed and a 8-year-old boy received his first communion.

There were much more to celebrate during the Mass. As I have been celebrating my own silver jubilee of priestly ordination this year, I had been contemplating how to organise. Then March 11 happened. Since there are so many people still struggling to restore their normal lives after the disaster, I decided not to organise a big party as such. So I decided to offer Mass of thanksgiving on the feast of Christ the King with the community. Parish community was so good to organise a small lunch party after the Mass in parish hall for me and those who received sacraments. Photo above is a sign written by one of parishioners to congratulate me. Thanks a lot.

Also after the Mass, 2 crucifix were blessed and sent out to go around parishes in the diocese. Our diocese is celebrating 100 anniversary of establishment as the apostolic prefecture and 50 years as the diocese in 2012. So the planning committee of the celebration decided to organise a crucifix relay. 2 identical crucifix will visit all parishes in the diocese starting from 20 November and will come back to the cathedral in October next year during the Diocesan convention. The crucifix will travel with a note book and members of parish communities may write their own message for the anniversary celebration to enforce unity among the community of the diocese.

The 100th ExCo of Caritas Internationalis @ Rome

2011-11-23T09:38:00.002+09:00

Immediately after the Japanese Korean Bishops' meeting in Sendai, I traveled to the eternal city to attend a meeting of Caritas Internationalis (CI) for a few days. The headquarter of CI is located within the Palazzo San Calisto in Trastevere area just adjacent to a beautiful Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. The Palazzo is a part of the Vatican territory and several offices of Holy See has offices within.

The meeting was the Executive Committee of Caritas Internationalis which is chaired by its president, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras. Caritas is celebrating its 60th anniversary of foundation this year and this meeting was the 100th session of the Executive Committee which acts as the highest decision making body of Caritas Internationalis between its General Assemblies. I attended the meeting as the President of Caritas Asia which is, at this moment, according to the present CI Statute, one of 7 Vice Presidents of the CI. Asia was represented by delegates from Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The regional coordinator of Caritas Asia, Fr. Bonnie, could not attend the meeting because of Visa difficulties. All together, more than 25 members attended the meeting representing regions of Europe, Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, North America, Oceania and Asia.

The ExCo had intensive discussion to finalise the revised text of the Statute and Internal rules, budget for 2012 and action plan for next 4 years. The meeting also invited Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Chancellor of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, who addressed members of the ExCo on the economic crisis which has been causing tremendous difficulties over people's lives in world today.

The new Statute has been approved during the ExCo and will be submitted to Holy See for its approval. Once it is approved, it may change several key structures of the CI executive body and I may not continue as the Vice President any more, though I will remain as the President of Caritas Asia and also as a member of the renewed ExCo. We will see when it will be given approval of Holy See.

This is my second time to join the ExCo of CI. Before I became bishop, I was a member of the ExCo from 1999 for one term of 4 years representing East Asia. While I was serving for my second term as member of ExCo, I was appointed as bishop in 2004 and Fr. Daisuke Narui, SVD, the present director of Caritas Japan, took over from me. This time, I could feel much more at home to attend the meeting and, though it was not easy to follow the discussion and express my opinion in English, enjoyed being there. The present ExCo is filled with quite positive atmosphere of friendly exchange of opinions and cooperation. Well, as a "good and typical" Japanese, I was quiet and listening. During the meeting, one may use one of 3 official languages of the confederation which are English, Spanish and French. In fact,there are quite a number of members who are fluent in all these 3 languages. Also the executive officers of the CI, such as a president or a secretary general, have to be fluent in these 3 languages. Though the professional simultaneous translations are provided during the meeting, and which also guarantees to finish a daily session at 6 pm when translators go home, it is not easy for me to just follow the flow of discussion through English translation.

It was beautiful autumn days in Rome during the meeting and I enjoyed morning walk to the Pallazo along Tevere river. Next meeting of ExCo will be in May, 2012.

17th Japan Korea exchange meeting of Catholic Bishops@Sendai

2011-11-10T22:26:00.001+09:00

Catholic Bishops of Japan and Korea meets once a year in either country for exchange meeting. As for this year, it was turn of Japan. Originally we planned to organise the meeting in Kanazawa, Nagoya diocese to learn more about Takayama Ukon, a Japanese Samurai and Daimyo who died in exile in Philippines during 16th century's persecution period. Japanese Catholic Church is working hard to have him beatified soon.

Then 11 March happened. We had decided to organise this year's meeting in Sendai so that both Japanese and Korean Bishops could visit the disaster affected area to share our prayer for victims together.

The meeting started with report by Fr. Kanda, the secretary general of a team of the All Japan Support Project for Sendai Diocese, on the relief operation by entire Catholic Church in Japan. Catholic Church of Korea was one of the very first Catholic Communities to send us messages of solidarity and also donation for victims. Bishop Hiraga of Sendai expressed his gratitude to Korean Bishops. Then there was also a report by Korean Bishops on the issue of the Four Major Rivers Project in Korea for which Korean Bishops have expressed their opposition. After these reports, new Nuncio to Japan, Archbishop Joseph Chennoth joined with bishops for dinner.

For second day, there were lectures on accident in Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant by a lay specialist, and presentation on biological theology by Korean Theologian. After lunch, bishops traveled to Ishinomaki by bus to offer prayer for victims and celebrateed Holy Eucharist in Ishinomaki Parish. Nuncio led a prayer and Archbishop Ikenaga joined to offer flowers for victims on top of a hill overlooking entire town of Ishinomaki which had been hit badly by Tsunami. (Photo above) During the Mass, Nuncio presented a Latin letter introducing him to Japanese Bishops written by Cardinal Secretary of State.

Prior to the travel to Ishinomaki, Nuncio made a courtesy call to the Mayor of Sendai. I joined him to meet the Mayor. I was happy to be there because the Mayor praised the operation of Caritas Japan and show her appreciation to Catholic Community in Japan and all over the world.

Today, after the meeting was concluded, Japanese Bishops made a message public on the issue of Nuclear Power Generation. The message is against the Nuclear Power Generation and asking for immediate end for it to preserve life which is a gift from God. Bishops said that it is a moral issue and we have to choose a way to be responsible to all the creature which have been entrusted to us by God. Also we have to fulfill our moral obligation for future generation. We can not make nuclear waste which we can not handle as our legacy for future generation. It is immoral.

The message will be translated into English soon. Mean time you may read this article in UCAN.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes

2011-10-31T17:16:00.001+09:00

I have just returned from 10 days pilgrimage with 69 people to France and Italy from 18 to 28 October organised by Niigata diocese. It was to commemorate 100th anniversary of the diocese, which had been established in 1912 as an Apostolic Vicariate and in 1962 as a diocese, and also as thanksgiving for my Silver jubilee of priestly ordination. We also wanted to show our gratitude to Holy Father for his donation and prayer for victims of March 11 disaster.

Our first stop was Lourdes for 2 days. I wanted to visit Lourdes by all means since my first assignment in Ghana was a priest in charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Osonson, Krobo in present Koforidua diocese in 1987. Oosonson has its own Grotto and the parish was the pilgrimage site for faithful of Krobo deanery. Every December, Osonson organises December 8 Marian pilgrimage for 3 days which attracts thousands of people to Osonson. So I wanted to visit the "real" grotto in Lourdes.

On our first day, it was raining and very cold. But because of this rather unfortunate weather, not so many pilgrims were there in front of the Grotto. So our people did not have to wait too long to take a bath and were able to stay long within the Grotto to pray.

We were allowed to celebrate Holy Eucharist in the Crypt on first day. I was joined by 2 priests, Fr. Ohtaki of Niigata and Fr. Hayakawa of Nagoya. I shared my story with Holy Mother that how she had tried to keep me in close contact with her despite my rather unwillingness to be close with her. As a minor seminarian, I was always quite reluctant to return to seminary after classes to join Rosary prayer time before sports activities. My attitude did not change much as major seminarian. I have to confess that I was not so serious about reciting Rosary as such. Then, for my great surprise, I was appointed as a priest in charge of a parish with famous grotto of the area and strong group of Legion of Mary and Rosary Crusade. After 7 years in the parish, I returned to Japan and again a Rosary prayer group asked me to be their chaplain saying that they were praying for priest vocation. As one in seminary formation, I could not say no to be their chaplain. Then after some years, I was appointed as a Bishop of the diocese which includes Akita where miraculous events happened in 70's with a Marian Statue. So Holy Mother is always trying to keep me in the place where I can not ignore praying Rosary.

Lourdes was a silent and holy place with a lot of natural beauty. I hope I may be able to visit Lourdes again and stay for a bit longer than this time.

Confirmation in KAMEDA in Niigata

2011-10-17T13:45:00.000+09:00

I made an official visitation of KAMEDA Parish in Niigata city on 16 October and celebrated a Sunday Mass together with the parish community. During the Mass, 5 people received the sacrament of confirmation. KAMEDA town is well known in all over Japan by the head office of KAMEDA SEIKA, a confectionery company for rice crackers and others sweets. The parish community is small with around 30 Sunday Mass attendance but the community is full of family spirit. So as usual, I was invited to join their Saturday diner party in a parish hall and drink Sake with them.

Also KAMEDA parishioners made news a few years ago when they had managed to built their new chapel through their own contributions. Catholics in Japan were surprised because such a small community had been able to contribute to built a new building for their chapel.

Congratulations for those who received the sacrament and thank you for the community for your wonderful hospitality.

By the way, I will travel to France and Italy for 10 days from 18 October with more than 70 people for pilgrimage to commemorate the 100th anniversary of establishment of Niigata diocese. I will report the trip after my return on 28 October.

Till then, you may also go to this link of Caritas Internationalis to read my interview on Tsunami disaster.

Manila receives its new head pastor

2011-10-14T09:14:00.000+09:00

Holy Father, last night, accepted resignation submitted by Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales of Manila, Philippines. Cardinal was already 79 years old. Then Holy Father appointed Bishop Antonio Tagle of Imus diocese as new archbishop of Manila.

Archbishop-elect was born in 1957 and well known as talented theologian and good speaker. Also he has been a member of Holy See's International Theology Commission which was once headed by then Cardinal Ratzinger. Above photo is taken in Taiwan in May, 2010 during a workshop organised by FABC. I attended his talks several times. He has special talent to explain extremely difficult matter in easiest language. Congratulations, Archbishop-elect Tagle.

Sapporo district held its assembly

2011-10-09T13:08:00.002+09:00

Sapporo district held its assembly called "Shito-shoku Taikai (Assembly for apostolates)" on Sunday October 2 at Fuji Women's University in downtown Sapporo. The Sapporo district is the biggest in number of faithful among 6 districts of Sapporo diocese since the district is comprised of 20 parishes in the capital city of Sapporo and surroundings.

Usually an international Mass is organised a week before on the Mission Sunday together with several fun events in Kita Ichijo Cathedral parish. However, for this year, the district decided to combine the international Mass and the Assembly Mass and organised the event as meeting place for both Japanese and migrant Catholics in Sapporo area. The theme of the assembly was "Let's get together!"

At the beginning of the assembly, I was invited as a lecturer to give a talk on our experience in Shinjo in Yamagata prefecture where Filipino community worked together with their families and 2 local Japanese Catholics to establish a parish in October 2010. I shared a story of one of their leaders in Shinjo who struggle for more than 20 years after she migrated to Japan to get married with a Japanese farmer to find their own place for worship. Because of her eagerness to go to Church on Sundays which supposed to be a resting day, her neighbours started to ask her a question. "Are you not able to live without going to Church?" Her enthusiasm to visit Church made others to feel that she was kind of different. So they wanted to know why she wants to go to Church on holidays. After days of hard work in farm, she should take a day of rest. In stead of resting, she struggle to go to Church. So people wanted to know her motivation.

As Catholic Church in Japan does not have sufficient outposts in rural villages, the presence of so many Filipino Catholics in the villages as wives and mothers are quite crucial for the evengelisation in Japan. In fact, as I have been telling them, they are missionaries sent to Japan to be witness of the Word of God despite their different reasons to be in Japan. That question by a neighbor of the leader of the community is quite significant. "Are you not able to live without going to Church?" We also want to be asked the same question by others. We want to be witnesses of Gospel and that is the mission by the Lord to all of us, Christians. In fulfilling this mission in Japan, God has his own plan to proclaim his good news in Japan. And our beloved brothers and sisters from other countries are missionaries to be sent to places traditional church could not reach in Japan.

During the international Mass, several readings and general intersessions were in different languages. Beautiful kids from several countries came up to the front for offertory and songs in several languages were sung.

After the Mass, during lunch time, for our great surprise, a VIP guest suddenly appeared in front of us in person of "President Obama" of the USA together with his strong security police force. He greeted us and, of course, shared a Maccha Ice Cream with us which he had enjoyed in Kamakura. It was a perfect performance organised by the International community of the district. Thank you for your wonderful performance.

President Aquino visited Ishinomaki

2011-10-03T09:33:00.001+09:00

On 26 September, President Benigno Aquino of Philippines visited city of Ishinomaki in Sendai diocese. Ishinomaki is one of many coastal cities which was hit by Tsunami on 11 March. The president was met by the city mayor and taken around to see the disaster hit area of the city. Then he was taken to Catholic Parish in Ishinomaki where more than 170 Filipinos were waiting for him together with the parish priest, Fr. Aizu of Sendai diocese.

The president was welcomed by kids of Ishinomaki Catholic Kindergarten and escorted by Fr. Aizu to a KG hall. There he delivered speech to gathering Filipinos from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima to encourage them to overcome this difficult time in Japan after the disaster. Majority of these Filipinos have invited to come to Japan to be married with Japanese. Before the disaster happened, many of them could not reach Catholic Church since they had to struggle hard everyday including Sundays to support their new families in Japan. Majority of those family members are not Catholics or Christians. As wives and mothers of these families in Japan, it was difficult them to take time to come to Church on Sundays. So, according to Fr. Aizu, the parish priest, he did not know there were so many resident Filipinos in the area till 11 March this year. However, after the disaster, Filipino mothers started to gather at the parish since they could find peace in their mind and heart only in Catholic Church. Immediately after the disaster, as Fr. Aizu realised there were so many Filipinos around, he started to organise parishioners to support them and also respond to the needs of Filipino community.

The president even spent more than 20 minuets in private with Fr. Aizu to listen to the real situation of Filipino community in the area. Sendai diocese is preparing to support these migrant catholics who were affected by the disaster by sending a pastoral team which includes Filipino priest to the area.

Bishop MAEDA ordained for Hiroshima

2011-09-25T23:08:00.001+09:00

Hiroshima has a new bishop! World well known city as city of Peace, Hiroshima diocese received its new chief pastor on 23 September in person of Bishop Thomas Aquinas Manyo MAEDA. His consecration Mass was presided over by Bishop MISUE, a retiring bishop of Hiroshima, and assisted by archbishop Ikenaga of Osaka and archbishop Takami of Nagasaki. It was attended by more than 2,000 people. Majority of congregation in the Cathedral of Hiroshima were from other dioceses, mainly from Nagasaki diocese since Bishop Maeda is originally from there. In fact, 3 consecutive bishops, Noguchi, Misue and present Maeda are all from Nagasaki diocese. More over, both Bishops Misue and Maeda were a secretary general of Japanese Bishops' Conference. Majority of congregation from Hiroshima witnessed the august event in a hall of the nearby Elisabeth University of Music run by Jesuit.

Bishop Maeda's motto is "non ministrari sed ministrare" which means " not to be served but to serve". Bishop Maeda, 62, was born in town of Chuchi in Goto island where several priests including late archbishop Shimamoto of Nagasaki came from. He is well known of his gentle smile and also his deep interest in Japanese traditional culture and fishing. You may find from his coat of arms fishing net which he intentionally put there to express his feelings which is same as disciples; because of your word, I will cast my net. (Explanation in Japanese in the photo above)

Congratulations for Bishop Maeda. Also we would like to show our deepest gratitude to retiring Bishop Misue.

Six months have passed

2011-09-17T21:43:00.000+09:00

Six months have passed since 11 March when massive earthquake and unimaginable tsunami hit northeastern Japan and took around 20,000 precious human lives away. Ecumenical prayer services were organised in several cities in Japan including one organised in our Cathedral in Niigata.

Still so many people are unable to return to normal life and staying in temporary housings. Those from Fukushima nuclear power plant area are even unable to clear their own houses after they were hit by tsunami because quite a lot of towns are within the evacuation zone. Catholic Church has been actively working for those affected people especially in Sendai Diocese. Caritas Japan has been cooperating with Sendai Diocese since 16 March and running the Sendai Diocese Support Center which coordinates volunteers who have been sent to coastal parishes in Iwate, Miyagi. Entire Catholic Church in Japan has also started its effort to support victims. Each of 3 ecclesiastical provinces, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagasaki are opening their respective bases in the area to send volunteers to support local efforts to rehabilitate. Bishop Hiraga of Sendai has issued a pastoral letter on 11 September to announce that the diocese will continue its effort to support people through the Sendai Diocese Support Center till March, 2012. But he also believe that it may take many more years for people to return to normal life so that he will reflect and reorganise the activities of the SDSC every 6 month.

In Niigata on 11 September at 3 pm, more than 70 people joined the prayer service presided over by me. Rev. Pastor Obuchi of Niigata Shinanomachi Church delivered his homily. Similar kind of ecumenical prayer service were held all over Japan.

Since the time of the disaster, I received quite a number of request for interview from abroad, especially from Catholic medias. One same question has been asked by many which I do not have exact answer. Many have asked me why Japanese were so calm after the disaster, even queueing patiently to buy food stuff in remaining stores. Why there were no riots? I do not know. Some say it is because of Japanese culture. Some say it is because Japanese high standard of public moral. Some say it is because Japanese do not want to act differently from others. I really do not know the real reason but one thing I can say is that we, Japanese, should learn something out of this experience. Our society in general had been loosing sense of public morality or sense of helping each other. We have to get these moral sense back into our society out of this experience.

Fr. Dumas has finally arrived.

2011-09-03T23:16:00.000+09:00

Fr. Martin Akwetey Dumas, SVD, has finally arrived in Niigata on 26 August to stay with me for a few days. I intentionally used a word "arrived" though his present appointment as a missionary of the Society of the Divine Word is learning Japanese language in Nagoya, since he was one of my faithful Mass servants (alter boy) in parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Osonson, Ghana, 30 years ago when I was a priest in charge of them.

I was appointed as a priest in charge of Osonson in June, 1987 whose duty was to take pastoral responsibilities of Osonson parish and its 22 out-stations. I was alone to live in Osonson for 5 years since there were no missionaries to be allowed to enter Ghana for several years at that time. Therefore, Catechists, Christian Mothers and Alter boys were strong hands to help me in my pastoral duties. Father of Fr. Dumas is a cathecist and was one of my strongest partners. Fr. Dumas himself was also member of the Alter boys group and accompanied me to visit out-stations quite often.

Quite a number of boys went to seminary to try to pursue their vocations to be priests and Martin was the one to be a priest. I went to ordain him in Ghana last year in August. While he was in the SVD seminary in Ghana, he contacted me to express his desire to work in Ghana. He wanted to come to the country where his former parish priest came from. So he made it and he made to "arrive" at my house in Niigata.

I took him to Tokamachi parish on 28 August for the Confirmation Mass. Photo above is taken after the Mass with members of the parish. As you can see from the photo, majority of the members of Tokamachi are from Philippines. They have married with Japanese for sometime already and have been good mothers and wives. We have their husbands and children to fill our chapel. Several husbands have been baptised already. We really have to thank God for sending these "missionaries" from other countries to Japan.

Assumption of Mary at Niigata Cathedral

2011-08-25T20:14:00.000+09:00

On 15 August, Monday at 10 am, a feast day of Assumption of Mary was celebrated with Holy Eucharist in Niigata Cathedral which was followed by a BBQ party under very hot sun. People has to celebrate shinning sun of hot summer in this area where they have to endure long and cold winter. As I have mentioned below, 15 August is also the final day for the 10 days for Peace as the memorial day of the Pacific War (WWII) in Japan. The Mass and the BBQ party were joined by our English Mass community in Niigata also (Photo above with some of the members of English Mass community. I am wearing a T shirt from Kenya since it was much hotter than Nairobi) Following is an excerpt of my homily during the Mass.

"Let us be aware that love and sharing are not faraway ideals but the road to enduring peace; the peace of God" (From the Peace message of JPII in Hiroshima, 1981)

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Catholic Church in Japan has designated 10 days between Hiroshima memorial day to the last day of the WWII through the memorial day of Nagasaki as 10 days of prayer for Peace. This practice had started after the visitation of the late Pope John Paul II to Japan in 1981. Holy Father visited Japan as a pilgrim of peace and left with powerful message for world peace in Hiroshima. In the message Holy Father repeated several times that "To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future." Inspired by his message, Bishops of Japan decided to start the 10 days of prayer for peace every summer to "remember the past" and commit ourselves again and again "to the future".

I am mentioning this because this year, 2011, supposed to be the 30th anniversary of the visit by Holy Father and also of the Hiroshima Peace Message. At the beginning of this year, the Social Concern Committee of the Japanese Bishops Conference was planning to organize the 10 days of prayer for peace this year as one to commemorate the Hiroshima Peace Message and awaken ideals for world peace among people in Japan.

There came the 11 March. Massive earthquake hit Tohoku area and Tsunami took so many people's lives at once. Since then, entire Japanese society was overtaken by the aftermath of the disaster and talking about world peace does not make any impact over people's mind any more. So we shelved the plan to organize the special activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary.

By the time when we started this year's 10 days, I went through the message of Holy Father again and found this passage.

"Your young hearts have an extraordinary capacity for goodness and love; put them at the service of your fellow human beings."

This is it, I thought. Since the day one of the disaster, so many people from all over Japan and outside Japan have been rushing to Tohoku area as volunteers to help victims. Catholic Church, too, opened a Sendai Support Center to organise and send volunteers to coastal parishes to help local victims.

What we are witnessing every day is exactly the realization of this word of Holy Father;
"Your young hearts have an extraordinary capacity for goodness and love; put them at the service of your fellow human beings."

In the same message Holy Father said that "let us be aware that love and sharing are not faraway ideals but the road to enduring peace, the peace of God."
This disaster is giving us chance to reconsider the real meaning of Peace, peace of God. Peace is not just that there are no war or no conflict. But the real peace situation is the realization of the world as God desires it should be. The world have to be in the order of God.

The perfect world is also described in the Magnificat. We have to be humble in front of power of God. We have to support each other. We should overcome any kind of discrimination. Love and sharing are the road to enduring peace, the peace of God.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki; The 10 days for Peace

2011-08-07T17:12:00.000+09:00

Inspired by the peace message delivered by Blessed John Paul II in Hiroshima in 1981, Catholic Church in Japan has designated 10 days between Hiroshima memorial day which is 6 August to the memorial day of the end of WWII which is 15 August as special period of prayer for peace. This period also includes the memorial day of Nagasaki which is 9 August. The day when an atomic bomb blasted over 350 thousand people in Hiroshima on 6 August, 1945, it was a very hot and shiny day. More than 140 thousand people lost their lives by single bomb blast. Every year on 6 August, public memorial service has been held in the peace memorial in front of the remaining building which is now called the atomic bomb dome (photo). Catholic diocese of Hiroshima also organises its own peace memorial service during this period. Nagasaki archdiocese is also preparing their own peace memorial service on and around 9 August.

The president of Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan, Archbishop Jun Ikenaga, SJ, Archbishop of Osaka, has issued his message for this year's 10 days for Peace. You may read his message in English. Click and follow the link.

In Niigata diocese, the Justice and Peace commission headed by Fr. Tsutomu Sato has already organised a study session on human rights on 31 July in Niigata Cathedral for this year's Peace Memorial activity in Niigata. I will also preside over the Mass on 15 August in the Cathedral and will pray for the World Peace. Mass will begin at 10 am on 15 August in Niigata Cathedral and followed by BBQ party. You are welcome to join us.

Today, 7 August, I have been to Takada parish for confirmation. 14 people received the sacrament. Among them 11 were young boys and girls in junior high schools. The parish priest, Fr. Mario Canducci, OFM, has been on sick leave for sometime and been staying in Tokyo OFM house in Seta. However, he was given permission by his doctor to return to his parish for a month before he leaves for his home leave and, therefore, celebrated the confirmation Mass with us today. (Photo: Fr. Mario is my right side) It was good to see his smiling face. Because of his absence, parish council president asked the congregation to take responsibility to guide those 14 members preparing for the sacrament. Then one lady volunteered to teach catechism to them. Wonderful collaboration by the congregation.

I am leaving for Bangkok this evening for 2 days for a meeting of Caritas Asia. I will return on Wednesday.

Pilgrimage to Mexico

2011-07-30T14:12:00.001+09:00

On the occasion of the silver jubilee of priestly ordination of both Bishop Tani of Saitama and myself, we thought it fitting to organise a pilgrimage to give thanks in prayer. Both of us were ordained priest in 1986. So we decided to visit Mexico and Cuba. Of course our main purpose was to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico city. The pilgrimage which was joined by 16 other people lasted for 10 days from 13 July.

As we were planning the pilgrimage, a massive earthquake and tsunami hit a part of Japan and both of us have been involved with rescue and rehabilitation operation since then. So we were wondering whether we should cancel the trip or we should go ahead. I thought it better to go there to visit the shrine and pray for the eternal rest for all the victims and also for quick recovery of people in the disaster hit area. So we did.

The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe was huge area with 3 wonderful church buildings. The smallest one is located on top of a hill where the Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in 9 December, 1531. St. Diego was canonized by Blessed John Paul II in 2002 in this shrine while Holy Father was in his 5th visit to Mexico. At the foot of the hill, a massive basilica was built with stones but had been inclined to one side because of poor land quality. Then a new modern basilica was built next to the old basilica. In this new Basilica, one could see a cope of St. Juan Diego over the main alter in which a beautiful image of Our Lady is still clearly seen. We were allowed to say Mass in a small chapel on the second floor where we could see the image just in front of us. Thank God that we were given this wonderful time to pray in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"All Japan" Catholics to support Sendai diocese

2011-07-12T22:10:00.000+09:00

Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan (CBCJ) had decided to mobilize entire dioceses in Japan to support disaster stricken Sendai and Saitama diocese for their rehabilitation efforts by sending volunteers and donations. Bishops also decided to respond to the request by Bishop Hiraga of Sendai to assign 6 priests to assist pastoral care of the Sendai diocese which had been suffering from shortage of priests for sometime.

CBCJ had establish a team to coordinate this effort to support Sendai and Saitama and appointed me to be in charge of the operation since I am also a president of Caritas Japan. Bishops had assigned Fr. Kanda of Osaka as my assistant and Mr. Hamaguchi of Osaka as the secretary. Since the end of March, the team has been coordinating rescue efforts of all the diocese through e-mail's mailing list system.

On 11 July, exactly 4 months after the earthquake, a very first meeting of the "All Japan" team of Catholic Dioceses was held in Sendai Cathedral beginning with memorial Mass said by Bishop Hiraga. 40 people from all the 16 dioceses in Japan gathered together for a meeting in the afternoon. Since this was the first time and we were in short of time, we just managed to share our own experience of past 4 months and also to listen to the story and plea of Sendai diocese. Now we know each other well and decided to continue to put our effort together to support Sendai and Saitama dioceses.

After the meeting, participants were divided to 3 groups to visit Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima respectively for a over night trip to know the reality of the disaster area.

The photo above is our meeting on Monday which was held in a small chapel of the Cathedral. There was no other space to accommodate 40 people for a meeting. You may wonder why there were no such spaces in Diocesan center. It is because most of such big spaces of the center have been dedicated to use for the Sendai Diocese Support Center to facilitate and coordinate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities of the diocese.

As I am joining Bishop Tani's group to visit Mexico from tomorrow, next posting of this blog will be on or after 23 July.

By the way, Holy Father has just appointed Fr.Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, as an archbishop of LUXEMBOURG. Why am I writing about the appointment of bishop in Europe? Because Fr. Hollerich is currently working in Japan. He is a German professor in Sophia University in Tokyo. Congratulations, Bishop-elect Hollerich!

Bishop Hamaguchi ordained for OITA diocese

2011-07-05T10:32:00.000+09:00

Entire faithful, priests and religious of OITA diocese in Kyushu have been waiting for the appointment of their new pastor for more than 3 years since their last pastor, Bishop Miyahara had been transfered to Fukuoka diocese in March, 2008. Finally, their new pastor, Bishop Paul Sueo HAMAGUCHI has been ordained and installed on 26 June, the feast of Corpus Christi in Japan.

Ordination Mass was held in a convention center in Beppu, a famous Spa resort city near Oita where the cathedral is located. Since the Cathedral of Oita is too small to accommodate more than 1,500 people gathered together to join the celebration, organising committee had decided to hire the huge convention hall for the ceremony. Almost all the active Bishops in Japan, including outgoing Nuncio and several retired bishops, including former Bishop of Oita and presently a rector of the International Seminary of Neo Catechumanate for Japan which is located in Rome, Bishop Hirayama join the Mass which was presided over by Archbishop TAKAMI of Nagasaki. Bishop MIyahara of Fukuoka and Bishop Koriyama of Kagoshima, all of them from Nagasaki province, were the co-consecrating Bishops with Archbishop Takami.

Bishop Hamaguchi, 62, is originally from Nagasaki and was a rector of minor seminary in Nagasaki diocese before. He was seconded to Takamatsu diocese for sometime to support Bishop Mizobe, SDB, upon his request to send experienced priests to support pastoral care of Takamatsu diocese after the difficulties faced by Bishop of Takamatsu connected to the incident of Neo Catechumanate seminary. His motto is "Proclaim Good News to all creatures." Though the OPita diocese is small with around 5,000 Catholics, newly appointed bishop is determined to work together with people to proclaim Gospel message with confidence which is based on his strong faith background from Nagasaki.

Congratulations for Bishop Hamaguchi.

Bishop Suwa ordained in Takamatsu

2011-06-21T12:04:00.000+09:00

Newly appointed Bishop of Takamatsu diocese, Bishop John Eijiro Suwa, who is succeeding Bishop Osamu Mizobe, has been ordained a bishop and enthroned on 19 June. The celebration was attended by more than one thousand people from 4 prefectures in Shikoku which are under Takamatsu diocese where Bishop Suwa had been working as a parish priest for past 6 years and many from Osaka archdiocese where the bishop originally belonged to. Archbishop Jun Ikenaga of Osaka was the main celebrant and co-consecrating bishops were the out-going Nuncio and bishop Mizobe. All other bishops of Japan including 2 bishop-elects and Archbishop Kim of Kwangju joined the consecration Mass. Archbishop Kim has been sending one of his seminarians to Takamatsu diocese.

As we all know well, name of the diocese of Takamatsu has been on the news on the issue of the international seminary established as a diocesan seminary by Neo Catechumenate Way. I do not want to go into the entire story of the issue, however, I may point out the fact that the diocese which has only five thousand Catholics out of four million people might easily face several practical problems which poor bishop had to face in practical sense to run such an institution while rest of 15 dioceses in Japan themselves facing several difficulties to run a national seminary such as securing "Japanese speaking" qualified professors and shouldering quite high living cost in Japan. The international seminary has been transferred to Rome since then. Newly appointed bishop has to face the task to secure the unity among laity, religious and priests in the diocese. Bishop Matsuura of Osaka preached on the issue of unity in the Catholic community in the diocese during the consecration Mass.

3 New bishops for Japan

2011-06-18T15:17:00.000+09:00

As I have already posted, Holy Father on 25 March appointed 2 new bishops for Japan. Bishop John Eijiro Suwa for Takamatsu diocese and Fr.Paul Sueo Hamaguchi for Oita diocese. Bishop Suwa will be ordained in Takamatsu tomorrow, 19 June at 2 pm and Bishop Hamaguchi will be ordained in Beppu near Oita on 26 June at 2 pm.

Then during the general assembly of Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan (CBCJ) this week on 13 June, Holy Father appointed yet another new bishop for Japan. Bishop Thomas Man-yo Maeda has been appointed as a bishop of Hiroshima and, at the same time, Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Misue as he had reached the age limit of 75 this year. Bishop-elect Maeda is originally from Nagasaki and has been serving as the secretary general of Bishops' conference for 6 years. Photo above was taken during the general assembly of CBCJ. All the bishops were invited for dinner with nuncio in his residence in Tokyo. From left; Bishop Maeda, Bishop Suwa, Bishop Hamaguchi and the Nuncio, Archbishop Bottari de Castello. The Nuncio himself is on transfer to Hungary. He served as the nuncio to Japan for 6 years.

The general assembly of CBCJ was held in Tokyo from 13 to 17 June. We, the bishops, spent quite a long time to discuss about our response to the disaster which struck dioceses of Sendai and Saitama on 11 March. We made several agreements among ourselves to respond to the urgent requests from Bishop Hiraga of Sendai. We agreed to send 6 priests to Sendai diocese to assist its pastoral activities. Nagasaki ecclesiastical province will send a priest to Kuji in Iwate while the Major Superior Conference may try to take care of Ominato in Aomori prefecture. Then Osaka province will send 2 to Ofunato and Tsukidate, and Tokyo province may send 2 to the Sendai city pastoral team. We also agreed that the Nagasaki province may try to support people in northern coastal part of Iwate, Osaka province may support southern coastal part of Iwate and northern coastal part of Miyagi, and Tokyo province to southern Miyagi and Fukushima. These support will not be only for Catholics but will cover general public in the area in cooperation with local Catholic communities. Also it aims to establish long term relationship between the are and each ecclesiastical province.

Bishops also decided to issue a short statement to express our desire to collectively support victims of the disaster and also show our solidarity. Japanese version of the message has been already published in the HP of the CBCJ and it may be translated into several languages within few days.

We also agreed to the final version of new translation of Hail Mary in modern Japanese. The final text has been also published in the HP of the CBCJ.

Confirmation in ITOIGAWA

2011-06-11T11:57:00.000+09:00

Since my return from Rome on 29 May, I had to attend so many meetings and functions in various places outside my own diocese. Thus, this delay of posting news from my diocese. Most noteworthy of all these engagements in past few weeks is a meeting held in Fukushima on 2 and 3 June. Fukushima is a capital city of Fukushima prefecture where the nuclear power plant in crisis is located. The meeting was called by the All Japan Support Team (AJST) of which I am in charge. Bishop Hiraga, Fr. Komatsu and several other senior priests from Sendai diocese are among the invitees together with Caritas members and AJST staff, Fr. Hiroshi Kanda and Mr. Kazunori Hamaguchi from Osaka Diocese. We still do not know how long it may take to bring the power plant under control and people in the area will be allowed to return to their home town. Victims are suffering from Earth Quake, Tsunami, Nuclear accident and rumors. Whatever originated from Fukushima might be the target of discrimination because of rumor against to the effect of radiation. No one actually knows the real picture of what has been happening in Fukushima No.1 power plant and we are left in uncertainty because of limited supply or delayed supply of facts by both government and the Tokyo Electric power Company. So we just wanted to make sure of possibilities we have to support victims.

During this first meeting we could not come to any concrete conclusion but so many ideas were expressed. So we will bring these ideas again to the next Sendai Support meeting on 22 June to deepen them to find our own response to the Fukushima crisis. Meantime, Caritas Japan has issued a new EA (Emergency Appeal) through Caritas Internationalis to clarify our activities till September.

Then, on 5 June, Nagaoka district held its assembly in ITOIGAWA church which is the south end of my diocese and 2 hours drive from my house in Niigata. Nagaoka district used be solely for Franciscan missionaries but since last year, Fr. Takahashi, a diocesan, Fr.Ferdi and Fr.Lorenzo, both SVDs, have been assigned to take care of 3 parishes in the district upon the request from the Japan province of the OFM to hand over a part of the district to the diocese. Still, at present, remaining 5 other parishes are under the pastoral care of Franciscans. Among those laity attended the assembly were members originally from Philippines and their kids. Good to see many young faces among the congregation. Fr. Fumio Goto, SVD of Kichijoji parish in Tokyo was a key note speaker. He talked about his own NGO which has been supporting education activities in Cambodia for many years. Fr.Goto's activities began in late 70's when he decided to accommodate refugee kids from Cambodia in his own parish. Also Itoigawa's 5 youths received the sacrament of Confirmation during the Mass.

Caritas Internationalis completed its 19th GA in Rome

2011-05-29T16:14:00.001+09:00

Caritas internationalis has just completed its 19th General Assembly in Rome and started its new 4 year period with a new set of executive committee with a new secretary general while re-electing Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, SDB as its president. The assembly started in Domus Mariae in Rome on 22 May with Holy Eucharist celebrated solemnly by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State. It was attended by more than 300 participants from all over the world including around 40 bishops. Caritas Japan was represented by Fr. Daisuke Narui, SVD and I also participated as the in-coming President of Caritas Asia.

Though there must have been well-founded reason existing on the side of the Holy See, however, it seems to me that good intent of not to hurt anyone in public of all parties involved made the "nihil obstat" story took on a life of its own. It was the GA with ostensive presence of Holy See among the participants this time compare with my previous experiences of 3 GA in 1999, 2003 and 2007. It was, honestly, quite strange to meet Fr.Timothy Radcliffe OP among the participants who shared no specific role to play even though he had prepared a talk beforehand, so I heard. Fr. Cantalamessa's talk was deep in spirituality and Cardinal Peter Turkson's talk was inspiring but I had hard time to connect these talks with the main theme of the GA which was "One Human Family, Zero poverty". The president of Cor Unum, Cardinal Sarah's talk was quite in the context of Caritas activities and gave us quite an insight. I do understood that the presence of the Holy See was needed to deepen the dialogue between Holy See and the Caritas in order to finalise the new text for its Statutes and Internal Rules which have to conform with the the public canonical legal status granted by Blessed Pope JPII in 2004. Catholic identity was at stake, so I was told by speakers and there exists need to deepen theology of Caritas. Sounds quite familiar in Japan. In many Catholic institutions, Catholic identity is at stake for quite sometime and we have been struggling to find an answer for it. Revised texts were not satisfactory reflecting these thoughts yet and, thus, were not presented for voting. The new team of Executives will work closely with the Secretariat of State to come with much more deepened texts soon. Already, the new bureau (the president and 7 regional presidents) have met with the officials of the Secretariat of States on Saturday morning to begin the dialogue in cordial atmosphere.

The 19th General Assembly re-elected H.E. Oscar Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, SDB, as its president for the second term, Mr. Juerg Krummenacher as its treasurer, and Mr. Michel Roy as its new Secretary General (Photo below). Also the GA endorsed the Strategic Framework 2011 to 2015. The Strategic Framework has 4 objectives which are; "Compassion in action; Promote integral Human Development; A stronger more effective confederation; and Advocacy for a better world." Also the GA approved the financial framework for next 4years.

All 7 regional presidents were presented for ratification and with the positive votes of the GA, they became the vice presidents of the CI. They are Fr. Erny Gillen (First Vice President, Europe), Bishop Francisco Silota (Second Vice President, Africa), Bishop Fernando Bargallo (Latin America), Bishop Isao Kikuchi (Asia), Mr. Joseph Farah (MONA), Mr. Michael Casey (North America), and Msgr. Gery Burns (Oceania). Asia is represented in the Executive Committee by Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

On Friday, 27 at noon, Holy Father received all the participants in private audience. With this and holy Eucharist celebrated by Cardinal President, we closed the GA with deep sense of unity and more determination to work as witness of love of God.

On my way to Rome.

2011-05-21T08:42:00.000+09:00

I am leaving for Rome today to attend the general assembly of Caritas internationalis. The meeting will begin tomorrow, Sunday 22 May and close on Friday, 27 May. If possible, I will report from the scene.

Cardinal Sarah prayed for victims of Tsunami in Sendai

2011-05-18T13:43:00.003+09:00

The president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", Cardinal Robert Sarah visited Japan from 13 to 17 May to bring message of condolence and hope from Holy Father to the victims of recent earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan. On 14th morning, Cardinal was accompanied by Bishop Tani of Saitama to visit Iwaki city of Fukushima prefecture. The area was damaged by tsunami and also still suffering from the crisis in the nuclear power plant. In the afternoon of 14th, he joined 13 Japanese bishops to attend the thanksgiving Mass for the beatification of JPII in Tokyo Cathedral. After the Mass, Cardinal was joined by the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello, and the president of Japanese Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Leo Ikenaga of Osaka to travel to Sendai by Shinkansen train. Bishop Hiraga of Sendai also accompanied the group.

On 15th Sunday, Cardinal presided over the Holy Eucharist in English at the Sendai Cathedral. After the Mass, he was taken to several volunteers' bases in Miyagi area which have been established by Caritas Japan in cooperation with the Sendai Diocese Support Center (SDSC). In Shichigahama beach, he offered a prayer for victims of tsunami and also offer flowers according to the Japanese tradition. Then he visited Ishinomaki where Catholic Parish has been serving as a base for volunteers sent by Caritas. City of Ishinomaki has been badly damaged by tsunami. Cardinal was invited to visit an evacuation center in Ishinomaki to meet with victims.

On 16the Monday, after early morning Mass in the Sendai Cathedral, Cardinal visited Matsushima town and was welcomed by a mayor of the town. This courtesy visit was made possible through the vice mayor of the town who used to work as a volunteer in Kobe during the 1995 Hanshin Awaji earthquake disaster. During that time, the vice mayor met with Fr. Kanda of Takatori Catholic Church and, since then, two are linked with friendship. The town responded to our request to arrange for a prayer service offshore by allowing us to join the sightseeing boat of the town and offer prayer on the boat. Massive number of victims are still missing. Many were dragged into sea by returning tsunami wave. So that we asked Cardinal to offer prayer at the sea. (Photo above) Cardinal prayed in Italian and sprinkle Holy Water over the sea and offer flower. Several number of News Agencies had sent their reporters for the event.

After the Matsushima prayer, Cardinal made courtesy visit to mayor of Sendai city. (Photo above) The mayor was happy to meet with Cardinal not only because of his message of hope from Holy Father but also because of historical background between Sendai and the Holy See. Between 1613 to 1620, a delegation led by Franciscan Luis Sotelo and Hasekura Tsunenaga was sent to Europe at Lord Date Masamune's order. Lord Date Masamune's headquarter was in Sendai. Hasekura Tsunenaga who was baptised in Spain a few months ago was received in audience by Pope Paul V on 3 November, 1615. He was also granted Roman citizenship. Following is an excerpt of an article in Mainichi English newspaper on 12 May on the background historical fact between Sendai and Rome.

(The Japanese government) said it will ask UNESCO by March 2012 to include in the heritage list the Midokampakuki diary written by high-ranking noble Fujiwara no Michinaga (966-1027) and the Keicho Ken-O Shisetsu records featuring relations with Europe shortly before Japan began closing itself to other countries in the 1630s in the Edo Era.

(The Keicho-ken-O Shisestu) record is a set of some 50 items showing diplomatic and cultural exchanges with Europe, including a Roman citizenship certificate which Hasekura Tsunenaga brought back after traveling in Europe at Lord Date Masamune's command.

Since Hasekura Tsunenaga met with Holy Father 400 years ago, Sendai city is planning to send a delegation in 2013 to commemorate the historical event. The director of the Sendai City museum presented Cardinal Sarah several books on the visit of Hasekura Tsunenaga to Europe and asked for the understanding and support of Holy See to the commemorative activities.

The team returned Tokyo in the evening of Monday. Then Cardinal Sarah has left Tokyo for Rome on 17 May.

Cardinal Sarah to visit tsunami hit area

2011-05-10T21:03:00.002+09:00

President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Robert Sarah is scheduled to visit Japan from 13 to 17 May as a special delegate of Holy Father. Cardinal Sarah will visit Iwaki in Fukushima on 14 morning and several tsunami hit areas in Sendai in Miyagi on 15 and 16. He will also join the thanksgiving Mass for the beatification of JPII in Tokyo Cathedral on 14 afternoon and preside over the Sunday Mass on 15 at Sendai Cathedral. (Photo above: right, Cardinal Sarah in 2006 as a secretary of Propaganda Fide; center, Cardinal Levada of the Doctrine of the Faith; left, Cardinal Ivan Dias of the Propaganda Fide)

Originally from Guinea in West Africa, Cardinal Sarah was appointed the Archbishop of Conakry, the capital of his native country, in 1979 when he was only 34 years old. In 2001, he was appointed as a secretary of the Propaganda Fide and promoted to be a president of the Cor Unum in October, 2010. He was made Cardinal in November, 2010. As a secretary of the Propaganda Fide, Cardinal Sarah is well known among Japanese Bishops and also he is well acquainted with the situation of Catholic Church in Japan.

The Pontifical Council COR UNUM for Human and Christian Development was established by Pope Paul VI in 1971. According to the web page of the Holy See, Cor Unum's objectives are as follows.

To assist the Pope and be his instrument for carrying out special initiatives in the field of humanitarian actions when disasters occur, or in the field of integral human promotion;
To foster the catechesis of Charity and encourage the faithful to give a concrete witness to evangelical charity;
To encourage and coordinate the initiatives of Catholic Organizations through the exchange of information and by promoting fraternal cooperation in favour of integral human development.

Cor Unum also oversees Caritas Internationalis. By the way, just a related story to the photo above, Holy Father accepted today resignation of Cardinal Ivan Dias, the prefect of the Propaganda Fide, upon reaching age limit of 75. Holy Father appointed Archbishop Fernando Filoni as the new prefect of the Propaganda Fide. Archbishop Filoni has been serving as the substitute of the State Department of the Holy See since 2007. Being a substitute of the State Department is quite important for entire Catholic Church's decision making process since the post is to work quite close with Holy Father. But his new post is also quite important for local Churches in mission territory, such as Japan. For the mission territory, local churches are under the jurisdiction of the Propaganda Fide and bishops' appointments are oversaw by the Propaganda Fide and not by the congregation for bishops. It is important.

Baptism in Shinjo

2011-05-05T14:02:00.000+09:00

On 1 May, all parishes in Niigata and Sapporo diocese celebrated thanksgiving Mass for beatification of late Pope John Paul II. I celebrated the Mass with the Shinjo Catholic community in Yamagata district. Majority of parishioners of Shinjo are mothers from Philippines, those who had been invited by local governments to be wedded to local farmers. There are only 2 Japanese as their original members and rest of them, probably more than 100 are from Philippines. Of course, these mothers bring their kids for baptism, therefore the Shinjo community is one of the youngest in average age in Niigata diocese.

On the day of beatification of JPII, Shinjo Catholic Community welcomed 2 additional members as a father and his son were baptised during the Mass. Mother of the child and, of course, the father's wife is also from Philippines. Congratulations! Now the community got one and only grown-up Japanese male member.

To join the celebration of baptism, Fr. Honma came with a group of parishioners of Yamagata. After the Mass, all of them joined a party in which we enjoyed wonderful Filipino foods and professional singing by one of them.

Warning: e-mail fraud

2011-04-30T13:25:00.001+09:00

It seems certain e-mail in my name has been going around the world among Caritas people and SVD confreres asking for transfer of money to Democratic Republic of Congo.

The address has "isao.kikuchi." for the local name and "@yahoo.it" as its domain.

This address is not mine. And,therefore, the said e-mail is not from Bishop Isao Kikuchi, SVD. Please kindly be advised that content of the said e-mail is not real nor true.

Sendai Diocese: Basic Plan for the New Creation

2011-04-30T12:55:00.001+09:00

Bishop Tetsuo Hiraga of Sendai diocese, photo above, the most affected diocese by 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, announced on Easter Sunday of his policies for relief and rehabilitation of the diocese. The policy is titled " Basic Plan for the New Creation." Bishop has called his priests on 20 April, on the day of their Chrism Mass, and asked for cooperation of priests to implement the plan.

Bishop Hiraga puts three points as his basic principle.

Church as "New Creation (II Cor. 5:17)" aims to cover all the affected area and people as far as possible while it will make intensive effort to be compassionate, encouragement, communion, support and companion to those area and people which will be neglected and forgotten.
We would like to unite ourselves in the Lord while entire diocese would be involved in the process of being a "New Creation."
Whole process of implementation of the plan would be achieved with pain of sacrifice.

Then Bishop Hiraga puts two pillars for the basic plan.

To recognise the activities of the Sendai Diocese Support Center (SDSC) as the main activities of the Sendai diocese and entire diocese would cooperate with the center.
To implement the plan "From 4 to 6 and 45".

The plan "From 4 to 6 and 45" is a support plan among the Catholic communities in the Sendai diocese. According to Bishop Hiraga, Catholic communities in inland which are located along the National Highway 4 will support and accompany with Catholic communities on the coast which are located along the National Highway 6 and 45. Thus the plan is called "From 4 to 6 and 45." Entire Catholic Bishops in Japan have been asked by Bishop Hiraga to support this plan by sending additional personnel for the SDSC and also for the pastoral care in the inland churches of the diocese. We may discuss about the possibilities to support this plan on 12 May during the Bishops' Conference Standing Committee and also during the General Assembly of Bishops in June.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T15:21:00.000+09:00

Happy Easter! The Lord Jesus is risen.

We spent past 40 days of Lent with sorrow, pain, fear and anger in Japan after the massive earthquake and tsunami on 11 March. Many people are still struggling to restore their everyday life and, still, many victims of tsunami are missing. The nuclear power plant in Fukushima is still in critical condition and so many people have been forced to evacuate from their homes. In fact, the incident in the nuclear power plant poses quite ethical question on us who have been benefited from the abundant supply of electricity to maintain our modern life style. Are we ethically correct to use such amount of electricity produced by nuclear power plant which causes such a massive and long term damage over people's lives and environment once it went to out of control? Are we ethically correct to use such a power plant which produces not only electricity but huge amount of contaminated waste which the future generations would be in charge to manage? We are still in darkness.

Because of this situation in Japan, this year's Easter celebration was really meaningful for many as brightness of small fire on a candle reminded us shining hope of Jesus who is risen from the dead. He is the one who will give us hope for new life. He is the one who will make us rise from complete destruction. He is the one who will show us the way for life.

We are all grateful to you from all over the world for your kind prayer, messages and donations to support victims in Japan. Through your action, we are made aware that we are all part of the one body, Jesus Christ. God bless you all.

Chrism Mass in Niigata

2011-04-19T13:28:00.001+09:00

This year's Chrism Mass for Niigata diocese has been celebrated today, Holy Tuesday, at 10 am in Niigata Cathedral. During the time of crisis such as the one in Japan at this moment since 11 March, Chrism Mass has such a significant meaning for the diocese. For this Mass, majority of priests working in the diocese made effort to come together and con-celebrate with Bishop while several representatives of laity were also in attendance. This signifies the real sense of unity of local church and made us feel strength of communion in our faith community. We have to come together as one community to overcome this crisis. We have to rediscover true meaning of solidarity to create one family of God in this country. Almost all the priests, diocesan and religious, were in Niigata Cathedral today except Akita district which had sent 2 delegates to join us. The distance of 350 km to reach the Cathedral made them difficult to join such diocesan activities. Three important holy oils are consecrated and blessed during the Mass.

As Holy Father preached last year's Chrism Mass in Rome, "the holy oils are at the centre of the liturgical action. They are consecrated in the bishop’s cathedral for the whole year. They thus serve also as an expression of the Church’s unity, guaranteed by the episcopate, and they point to Christ, the true “shepherd and guardian” of our souls, as Saint Peter calls him (1 Pet 2:25)."

We prayed for victims of the recent disaster and also prayed for quick recovery for those who lost their normal life. We really need true resurrection to complete new life.

I have to fly to Sapporo this afternoon to celebrate yet another Chrism Mass in Sapporo at 10:30 am tomorrow.

Sapporo diocese sends volunteers to Miyako

2011-04-16T11:56:00.000+09:00

As the relief and rehabilitation operation of Sendai diocese are expanding its scale in cooperation with Caritas Japan, Sapporo diocese had decided to send its own volunteers to the Tsunami affected area. Under capable and strong leadership of Very Rev. Fr. Uesugi, the Vicar General of Sapporo diocese, 7 volunteers from Hokkaido arrived at Miyako city on Tuesday, 12 April. Miyako is a home town of myself, the Apostolic Administrator of Sapporo. It seems that those from Hokkaido, the northern end of Japan, has easier access to Iwate as we could see police officers from Hokkaido stationed in Miyako in the photo above. The seven volunteers have left Miyako yesterday after helping victims in Yamada town and Miyako city together with members of Miyako Catholic Church in cooperation with Sendai Diocese Support Center and the local government. According to Fr. Uesugi, Sapporo diocese has already prepared next 6 volunteers to go to Miyako next week.

Meantime, Bishop Hiraga of Sendai diocese is considering possibilities to appoint his diocesan priests in coastal parishes so that these priests could coordinate relief and rehabilitation operation of the diocese with faithful. Then Bishop is considering to request rest of Japanese bishops to send priests to support apostolate of the diocese in inland area.

Relief and rehabilitation operation is now entering its second stage, according to Fr. Daisuke Narui, SVD, Caritas Japan director at the spot. Local government are now concentrating to find possibilities to construct temporary housings for those who lost their house by Tsunami and earthquake. However, because of its harsh geological formation in the area without much flat land, the local government are in difficulties to find suitable places for these temporary housings. Prefecture government are prohibiting the local governments to construct houses in the tsunami hit area in fear of secondary disaster. Once people are moved into the temporary housings, then NGO will start yet another phase of rehabilitation operation of supporting them in several ways including mental support.

Photos from Miyako and Taro

2011-04-10T18:53:00.000+09:00

Near by the Miyako City Office in central Miyako city.

At the Miyako fishery port.

Center of Taro town. In the middle, you may see a remain of the massive protective wall which once surrounded entire town.

The remain of the protective wall in Taro.

Taro town from a hill in front of the port of Taro.

The San-no rock wall which was not affected by the Tsunami at all.

Visit Sendai and Miyako

2011-04-10T18:35:00.002+09:00

On Friday afternoon, a meeting was called in the office of Bishop Hiraga, Bishop of Sendai, to discuss about the plan to coordinate relief and rebuilding efforts of Sendai diocese. Since Bishops Conference had expressed their desire to support Sendai diocese for its effort to rebuild the diocese and appointed me as a coordinator, I have asked Bishop Hiraga to call the meeting among major players of the effort at this moment. Number of key persons attended the meeting including Bishop Tani of Saitama with his diocesan Caritas coordinator, staff members of Caritas Japan led by Fr. Narui, a team from Osaka diocese led by Fr. Kanda and Fr. Komatsu, the Sendai diocesan chancellor and the SG of the SDSC. A team from Osaka was invited because of their rich experience during the earthquake in 1995 and Fr. Kanda was one of the local leaders in relief and rehabilitation effort in Takatori area in Kobe. (Photo above: Miyako city destroyed)

During the meeting, Bishop Hiraga announced his policy of the reconstruction of the diocese which had two major points. First and most, the Sendai Diocese Support Center (SDSC) will continue to be the main activities of the diocese for relief and reconstruction. Secondly, he may assign his diocesan priests in coastal area to oversee relief and reconstruction activities and request other dioceses in Japan to send priests to support pastoral care of the inland area. In order to make formal request to other bishops, Bishop Hiraga will announce concrete plan very soon.

After the meeting, I traveled with Fr. Sakamoto of Niigata to Morioka. Usually it takes around 2 hours or more to reach Morioka from Sendai, but we spent more than 5 hours on Friday because of the yet another major earthquake on Thursday night. Because of the strong earthquake on Thursday, one of the strongest after the biggest one on 11 March, the Tohoku express way was damaged and part of it was closed. That was why we took much more time to travel. By the way, Cathedral main chapel was also affected by the earthquake on Thursday.

Then I visited Miyako on Saturday. Miyako is my hometown where I was born and baptised. At that time, my father was a catechist and mother was a teacher in the parish KG. The parish priest, Fr. Marco Antonio De La Rosa, MG, and Ms. Kato, the head teacher of the KG and my childhood friend, were waiting for us. On the day of the earthquake, Fr. Marco was in his hometown in Mexico and just returned a few days ago despite his friend's objection to go back to Japan because of the radiation crisis. The Miyako parish was not affected by tsunami. On the day of the earthquake, Ms. Kato had to take all her kids in the KG to near by mountain to take refuge in the Shinto shrine there. Then after the tsunami subsided, she had to look for a place to stay over night for these kids.

She took us to Taro where she lives with her family. As you know, Taro had been the most well protected town against Tsunami in Japan. Despite all the tall protection walls, majority of the town was completely washed away including Ms. Kato's house. Her family member was safe but had to look for a place of refuge in her friend's house. It was impossible to believe when I saw the town. There was nothing left for human habitation. Massive concrete walls are destroyed and scattered around in the bay. Ms. Kato told me that "the mother nature just wanted to go back to her origin so that she destroyed every man made structures. The wave could manage to destroy massive concrete structure into pieces but it did not do any harm to the famous San-no rock wall. The rock is just a high and slim wall standing in sea but nothing happened to that creature. So we may have to look into our life style. Maybe we are just doing something completely against to mother nature." It could be true. (Photo above: Taro town destroyed)

Caritas Japan continues its relief effort in Sendai

2011-04-01T17:43:00.001+09:00

At this moment, according to the government announcement, there are more than ~~seventeen~~ one hundred and seventy thousand (170,000) people evacuated and staying in numbers of shelters, mostly public facilities and halls. More than eleven thousand dead has been confirmed and over sixteen thousand people are missing. Local government will built temporary houses for victims but the construction may not begin for next one or two month in most of the affected area. According to the present regulation of government, these temporary housings will be provided only for 2 years to the victims.

Caritas Japan and Catholic Church, especially Sendai diocese, will try to assist victims while they are in shelters for next 2 to 6 month and after they are provided temporary housings. While they are in shelters, they may need medical attention which has been provided mainly by local governments and Red Cross. National government is trying to re-establish transportation network so that food, water and medicine will reach shelters. As for NGOs such as us, what we would concentrate is to visit these people in shelters to listen to their stories and try to make stay in shelters comfortable as much as possible. There are not so much privacy in shelters so one of the Catholic NGOs are providing partition or room divider made out of cardboard. There are number of people who lost their family members. There are people suffering from survivor guilt. Many can not understand why they survived and why their loved ones not and began to feel guilty. They need psychological attention. There are the grief care institute run by Jesuit Sophia University which was established after 2009 train accident in Osaka. We may ask their assistance to support victims.

Bishops conference have just decided on 24 March that entire Catholic Church in Japan should work together to support relief effort of Sendai diocese and they appointed me to be a coordinator of this program.

After the victims are provided temporary housings, since quite high number of victims are aged or elderly people in these rural area of Japan, we may have to organize volunteers to make regular visit of houses to make sure they will be provided necessary assistance both material, physical and mental. We do not have our own medical staff who are specialist for psychological care in Caritas Japan, but we may consult with Catholic Doctors Association for help since these effort will be done under the initiatives of Bishops Conference.

We are already in contact with local governments to provide volunteers to clear the affected area. After tsunami, there are so much of rubble or wreckage and much more manpower is needed. Caritas Japan is cooperating with Sendai diocese to manage the Sendai

Diocese Support Center (SDSC) to coordinate relief operation of the Church. We have sent 2 staff members of Caritas Japan to the SDSC. According to their reports, 2 lines of mobile phone of the center never stop ringing from people all over Japan inquiring possibilities to join the operation as volunteers. Tokyo office of Caritas Japan had to ask support staff from other section of the Bishops Conference to handle so many numbers of donations. We had same experience in 1995 when we made a donation campaign for Rwanda refugees crisis but I think response from general public and Catholic community in Japan is much more enthusiastic than 1995.

For the area, economy would be badly damaged. Especially in the affected area in Sendai diocese, majority of people are farmers and fishermen. Farmers lost their farming lands which had been soaked in sea water. Fishermen lost their ships in Tsunami and their famous aquafarming system had been completely destroyed. It would be very hard for them to re-build their houses and, at the same time, re-establish their profession. Then the crisis of the nuclear power plant are affecting farmers of Fukushima whose farms escaped Tsunami but affected by radiation. I really have no idea how long it may take to restore their normal life.

Catholic Youths Pray for victims

2011-03-27T18:00:00.000+09:00

Today, on the Third Sunday of Lent, number of Catholic Churches in Japan hosted a prayer meeting titled "What we can do now," organised by a voluntary gathered youth groups to pray for victims of recent earthquake and tsunami. In Niigata Cathedral at 3 pm, around 17 people gathered to pray together despite of short notice. Prayer meeting was organised according to the style of Taize with lot of meditative songs and candles. One of their leaders in Niigata played organ and the other played a guitar to lead prayers. I do believe in power of prayer and, thus, would like to ask youth groups to continue to pray for the victims and organise such a prayer meeting again and again. Recovery and rehabilitation process will take time and your prayers are needed.

I have been to Yamagata on Friday to meet a group from Osaka led by Fr. Kanda to discuss about further plan to support Sendai diocese for their relief operation. Fr. Kanda is well known to many as a priest with "a towel around his neck" while he was taking a leading role in rescue and rehabilitation activities in Takatori after the massive earthquake in Kobe in 1995. He visited Matsushima area near Sendai to visit Tsunami hit area where the vice mayor of the town used to work as a volunteer in Kobe during the rescue and rehabilitation operation. As Bishops Conference had decided to support Sendai diocese as the "Team All Japan" and to appoint me as one in charge, Fr. Kanda and his team gave me several good suggestions. So I asked one of them, a lay person, to remain in Sendai for a while to support Fr. Komatsu, the chancellor of the Sendai diocese, and make the needs analysis. Then I have decided to call a meeting on 8 April in Sendai to discuss about long term plan to support Sendai diocese with several key players including Bishop Hiraga, Fr. Kanda and Fr. Narui, SVD, a director of Caritas Japan. Meantime, of course, Caritas Japan will continue its operation in Sendai to assist the Sendai Diocese Support Center.

New Bishops for Japan

2011-03-27T16:07:00.001+09:00

On 25 March at noon, Rome time, Holy Father appointed 2 new bishops for Japanese Church.

First of all, Holy Father accepted a resignation submitted by Bishop Mizobe, SDB of Takamatsu and appointed Fr. John Eijiro Suwa as his successor. Bishop-elect Suwa, 63, is a diocesan priest of Osaka and have been working in Takamatsu diocese for sometime upon request of Bishop Mizobe.

Then Holy Father appointed Fr. Paul Sueo Hamaguchi, 62, as a bishop of Oita. Oita diocese has been vacant since Bishop Miyahara had been transferred to Fukuoka in March, 2008. Bishop-elect Hamaguchi is a diocesan priest of Nagasaki and have been working in Takamatsu for sometime upon request of Bishop Mizobe.

Congratulations for new bishops. Let us remember Bishop-elect Suwa and Bishop-elect Hamaguchi in our daily prayer. If you would like to find their photos, click here to jump to CBCJ Home Page. Also kindly pray for a new bishop of Sapporo. Since November 2009, the see of Sapporo is vacant and I have been serving as their apostolic administrator.

Japan Earthquake 6: Bishops met in Tokyo

2011-03-25T10:43:00.001+09:00

There was an extraordinary meeting of Bishops in Japan yesterday to discuss about our response to the recent disaster. The meeting was held in Tokyo and 7 bishops managed to attend. Unfortunately 2 bishops from the most affected dioceses, Sendai and Saitama, could not join the meeting so that I had to brief other bishops on the situation of the affected area and responses of Caritas Japan and two dioceses within past two weeks. Bishops made resolution to work together and put our maximum effort to support Sendai and Saitama diocese. Especially for the most affected diocese, Sendai, bishops asked me to play a role of liaison between Bishop Hiraga and the Bishops' Conference since I have been involved in the relief operation already as the president of Caritas Japan. Sedani diocese is spread into quite a vast territory from north to south. Catholic communities in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures constitute Sendai diocese and they have already began their own activities to support local victims. I may have to support Fr. Komatsu, who is in charge of Sendai diocese support center to organise all these activities so that each player may get enough attention and support to continue long-term activities.

Also during the meeting, several bishops complained that there are too many fund-raising going on at this moment and their purpose are confusing. So we made a clear distinction of 4 different fund-raising activities of Catholic Church at this moment.

Caritas Japan receives donation for activities to support victims of the disaster in general.
Sendai diocese receives donation to rebuild Churches and Church facilities and to support members of Catholic community.
Saitama diocese receives donation for supporting victims in the diocese.
Catholic Tokyo International Center (CTIC) receives donation to support victims or evacuees among foreign residents.

Please refer to the link (Home Page of the Bishops' Conference) for more information on the disaster relief in English.

As I have mentioned before, I believe, a fund raised by Caritas Japan will be, and already has been, utilised for our activities in general to support victims of the disaster. Therefore, assisting the Sendai Diocese Support Center is one of these activities and is NOT only activities of Caritas Japan. Caritas Japan has already assisted number of applications from other dioceses for shelter programs. Each diocese have their own contact person for Caritas activities, though titles vary in each diocese, and they will consult with Caritas Japan office to find out possibilities to assist certain program of supporting victims in respective dioceses.

Japan Earthquake 5: SAITAMA support center opens

2011-03-20T13:30:00.001+09:00

Bishop Tani of Saitama has announced yesterday that the Saitama diocese had opened the Saitama Diocese Support Center for the relief operation in his diocese for victims of both recent disaster and the crisis caused by the nuclear power plant in Fukushima.  At this moment, the center is located within the diocesan chancellery office but it may be relocated in Mito soon.

According to Bishop Tani, the Support Center has 4 objectives at this moment. First of all, it will assist Sendai Diocese Support Center to establish a group of volunteers to visit victims in shelters. Secondly, through visitation by volunteers in Ibaragi, Northern Tochigi, Southern Fukushima, it will provide victims psychological care, medical support and language support. Then it will coordinate among parishes and religious houses within the diocese to provide temporary shelter for victims.

You may contact the Saitama diocese support center at 090-9972-4946. Rev. Deacon Yabuki is in charge.

Yesterday afternoon, 2 staff members of JLMM (Japan Lay Missionaries Movements) stopped at Niigata Bishop's House on their way to Sendai via Yamagata. They will join the Sendai Diocese Support Center to help the staff members of Caritas Japan to form the basis of entire relief activities in Sendai diocese.  I went out with them to one of the biggest "Home Center (hardware store)" in Niigata to purchase several goods needed for the Sendai center. (Photo above)

It has been not so easy for private sector to fully pour our potential capacity into the disaster area because of typical Japanese bureaucratic system. I have several experiences of being in a conflict zone as a Caritas member out side Japan. Compare with the working situation of NGOs including Caritas in these areas, here in Japan, the private sectors or NGOs have tremendous difficulties to be recognized as partners of public sectors. Japanese government does not declare any emergency and usual bureaucratic process has to be observed with quite limited exceptions.  This is one of the reason why Caritas Japan members have difficulties to reach the most affected area immediately after the disaster had happened. But we are doing our best to maximize our effort to support victims.

Japan Earthquake 4: SENDAI

2011-03-17T23:35:00.003+09:00

I am just back from Sendai. I have been there to visit Bishop Hiraga of Sendai with Bishop Tani of Saitama to discuss about the details of Catholic response to the disaster of earthquake and tsunami. We have decided to open the Sendai Diocese Support Center to coordinate volunteers from all over Japan and make concrete plan for future relief operation. If you are interested in helping victims as volunteer, you may contact the Support Center to obtain detailed information. You may reach the center at 090-1217-3233

The head of the center is Bishop Hiraga and a staff from Caritas Japan will stay at Sendai to support the operation. Caritas Japan will continue to accept donation within Japan. Sendai diocese also accept donation to support Catholic Church in Sendai. Saitama diocese also accept donation for the Church. The operation of the Sendai Support Center will be assisted by the fund from Caritas Japan. If you want to donate from outside Japan, you may refer to the Home Page of Caritas Internationalis.

I visited one of the Tsunami hit area near Sendai, Tagajo-city. The photos above are one of the typical scene in Tagajo bay area. The photo was taken at the place which is 2 km away from the sea. There were hundred of cars and trucks left on the road and destroyed by Tsunami. I do not know how long it may take to bring these places normal. Pray for the victims.

From Niigata diocese, Fr. Honma of Yamagata is providing a shelter at Yamagata for 20 people and Shinjo for 30 people. Shinjo is meant especially for Non-Japanese victims. You may contact Fr. Honma in Yamagata Church.

P.S. Fr. Honma added Nagai Church as a shelter for 20 people. You may contact Fr. Honma on his mobile phone at 080-6016-8088

25 years as a priest

2011-03-15T17:30:00.000+09:00

Today I celebrated my silver jubilee of priestly ordination. I was ordained a priest on 15 March, 1986 in Nanzan Catholic Church, Nagoya, by late Bishop Nobuo Soma of Nagoya. For the year 1986, the Japan Province of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) had only myself for the priest ordination while 2 other confreres from Poland were ordained together as deacons. One of them is Fr. Ziebura, a parish priest of Nishimachi. Also Fr. Kashirajima and Fr. Ohmatsu were ordained deacon during the same Mass for Redemptrist (CSsR).

As we had our Lent recollection for diocesan priest in Niigata today, I celebrated the jubilee with my diocesan brothers in a crypt of Niigata Cathedral. I would like to thank all of you for your prayer and support for past 25 years. Without your prayer and support I could not fulfil my duty as priest and bishop. Also I ask you to continue to pray for me so that I would be your worthy servant.

As victims of recent earthquake and Tsunami are suffering and so many people are still waiting for their rescue, please kindly remember them in your prayer. Countless people lost their precious lives. Families are separated. Many lost everything. I am going to visit Sendai tomorrow with Bishop Tani to discuss the plan of relief activities of Japanese Catholic Church with Bishop Hiraga of Sendai. Since train service is not functioning to Sendai and express way is closed, and also gas station is Sendai are mostly closed, we will go by Bishop Tani's Toyota Prius.

Japan Earthquake Update 4

2011-03-14T09:44:00.000+09:00

The National Meteorological Agency yesterday announced that the 11 March massive earthquake was measured magnitude (Richter scale) 9.0 rather than 8.8 as announced earlier. Also all the Tsunami Warning has been cancelled, however the Agency still suspects possibilities of strong after quake for sometime. Fukushima nuclear power plant is still in critical situation. Because of the shortage of supply of electricity by Tokyo Electric Company, Government decided to introduce rotating electricity cut in Tokyo and surrounding area from today. Rescue work is still going on and the entire picture of the disaster is yet to be known.

Catholic Diocese of Sendai has just issued its situation report this morning compiled by Fr. Komatsu, a diocesan chancellor.

According to the report:

Fr. Andre Lachapelle, MEQ, 76, a parish priest of Shiogama Catholic Church has passed away during the disaster. It seems that he died of heart attack.
Despite communication difficulties, most of the Church buildings have been found safe and intact.
These Churches in coastal area which was hit by Tsunami in Ofunato, Kamaishi, Kesennuma, Ishinomaki , as they are located on a hill, might be intact by Tsunami.
Miyako Church might be hit by Tsunami but details are not known yet.
A chapel building of Sukagawa Church in Fukushima was damaged.
No information from coastal area of Fukushima yet.
Sendai diocese thanks all the people who have been sending messages of encouragement.

Japan Earthquake update 3

2011-03-12T23:12:00.000+09:00

Holy Father has sent his message of encouragement to Archbishop Ikenaga, the President of CBCJ, this morning.

My office in Niigata has managed to contact Fr. Komatsu, the chancellor of Sendai diocese, through e-mail. He could manage to reply only after Sendai got electricity back this evening. According to him, Bishop Hiraga of Sendai is fine. He is still working hard to assess the damage of entire diocese but it is not so easy since the phone system in the area is not functioning well enough yet.

Fukushima nuclear power plant is in serious trouble as it has been reported widely.

It is quite difficult for me to watch TV coverage of Tsunami since my hometown, Miyako where I was born and was baptised, has been badly damaged. It is chilling to witness, even though it is only through recorded media on TV, strong tsunami wave invading town of Miyako with such a mighty power. We are nothing in front of the power of natural disaster. We still do not know about the fate of Parish in Miyako. The parish is nearby the train station of Miyako city.

Japan Earthquake Update

2011-03-12T10:03:00.003+09:00

Damage caused by yesterday's massive earthquake in Japan has not been clearly established. Rescue operation by government agencies and army has been going on but, according to media reports, quite number of people are still waiting to be rescued. Massive Tsunami destroyed number of coastal cities in Sendai diocese. I have not yet been able to communicate with the Diocesan office of Sendai and I am yet to know the damage of Catholic Church in Sendai diocese. Part of Saitama diocese, especially in the coastal area has been also badly affected.

There was a strong earthquake this morning around 4:30 am in Niigata. According to Fr. Bassi of Kashiwazaki, Tokamachi Catholic Church's Kindergarten building was slightly damaged but there are no report of heavy damages.

Caritas Japan is starting a campaign to call for donation within Japan today. Since the very first stage of the rescue operation needs professional skill, private organisations have limited part to play. We may have to prepare for the second stage, especially immediately after people are secured in evacuation centers which will be, or have been, designated by local government.

It seems that the nuclear power plant in Fukushima is in critical situation. This morning, government declared that the people within 10 km of the plant to evacuate and also ordered the electricity company to reduced the pressure within the plant, which means discharging radioactive materials into open air.

P.S. Telephone service to Japan, especially to the affected area has been limited. Mobile phone system is functioning in the affected area but connection has been limited by the company to protect the exchange machines.

P.S. 2: As at 10 am Japan time, according to the police report, with in 8 Prefectures and Tokyo, 287 dead has been confirmed and 725 people are reported missing.

P.S.3: As at 3 pm Japan time, according to the police report, 519 dead has been confirmed and 735 people are reported missing.

Earthquake in Northern Japan

2011-03-12T01:34:00.003+09:00

Northern part of Japan has been hit by one of the biggest earthquake in the recent history at 14:46 on 11 March. It was measured magnitude (Richter scale) 8.8 which is the biggest earthquake in Japan since the National Meteorological Observatory began its observation of earthquake in 1923. We still do not know the real picture of the damage caused by the earthquake. Tokyo was also affected. All the train service was stopped till midnight so that people working in Tokyo could not go home today including our staff members in the General Secretariat of Catholic Bishops Conference. Afterquake is still occurring. Several Tsunami have hit wide area of Northen Japan and the National Meteorological Observatory still maintains its waring for major Tsunami at this moment. We still do not know how many people were killed by this Tsunami. There is a quite huge nuclear power plant in Fukushima which has been damaged also. We still do not know how it is at this moment but the government has already ordered those living within 3 km of the plant to evacuate. The plant has stopped immediately after the quake but the facility to cool down the plant was damaged. Most of the affected area is in Sendai diocese. We have difficulty to communicate with Sendai diocese through phones at this moment so that we do not know the damage of Church facilities. Caritas Japan will organise to raise fund. However at this moment, we may not able to organise rescue operation as such. Government has mobilised army for the rescue mission and US army is also mobilised. Church will concentrate on rehabilitation operation after we assess the damage. Miyako city which was hit by Tsunami is my hometown. It was hit by big Tsunami in 1960. Again it was hit by big Tsunami. Please remember victims in your prayer.

As at 1 am on 12 March, according to the National Police Service, 133 people were killed and 536 people are missing. Then 722 people have been injured.

At the moment of the earthquake, I was at the other side of the epicenter. The epicenter, Miyagi, is facing the pacific ocean. I was in a train from Akita going back to Niigata at Yamagata, 150 km west of the epicenter facing to the Japan sea. The train made emergency stop immediately after the earthquake and could not resume the operation. We were standing at the spot for 5 hours. Around 7 pm, the train company provided us transportation by bus to Niigata. I arrived at Niigata by 11 pm.

Groundbreaking ceremony in Sanjo KG

2011-03-05T22:46:00.000+09:00

In the late afternoon on 2 March, a groundbreaking ceremony for Shirayuri Kindergarten was held in Sanjo despite of cold and windy weather with snow. Because of harsh weather, most of the ceremony was held in a newly built chapel building of Sanjo parish. However, as the most important element of the ceremony which is breaking the ground had to be done outside at the very spot of the construction, we went out to endure cold and strong wind. Fr. Ishiguro, a parish priest and a director of the KG, broke the ground with spade, a symbolic spade made out of wood and was joined by the chairman of the construction company, Mr. Watanabe who broke the ground with a harrow. Staff members of the KG, several parents with their kids and some of the parishioners attended the ceremony.

Sanjo parish has completed the first phase of their renovation plan already by the end of last year when their new chapel with rectory was built. This is the beginning of the second phase. They will build a two story building behind the chapel for the KG which will be connected to the existing two story building. Then after the completion of the new building for the KG, then oldest part of the KG which host present chapel on roof top will be demolished. In order to complete all these construction by the end of summer holidays, the groundbreaking ceremony had to take place in the beginning of March.

I have to congratulate Fr. Ishiguro and entire parishioners of Snajo who managed to accumulate quite a lot of fund to built their new chapel. Of course, they spent quite some time to accomplish their goal.

Shinjo under heavy snow

2011-03-01T21:29:00.001+09:00

On 28 February, I made a pastoral visit of Shinjo Catholic Church, Our Lady of Snow in northern Yamagata prefecture. In fact, even though I made a last-minute decision to visit Shinjo, more than 30 members made good effort to gather for Sunday Mass at 10 am which was 4 hours ahead of their usual Sunday Mass time of 2 pm. 2 pm Sunday Mass. Yes, it is because the Shinjo community does not have their own priest and Fr. Honma of Yamagata is in charge. Yamagata is more than an hour drive from Shinjo.

As you may see from the photo above, and also you may refer to my story of dedication of the Church last October, majority of the community members are from Philippines and their children are also valuable members of the community. It is not so easy to find many kids anymore in our parishes but, here in Shinjo, I could meet so many kids. Filipino members are trying hard to establish good family life in this rural area as a wives of Japanese farmers. And you may see from the photo below, Shinjo is under heavy snow at this time of the year. The community had to spend more than thirty thousand yen (USD 3,500) to hire people to remove snow from the chapel roof. The community owes quite an amount to the diocese to complete their building last year. Now they had to spend more to remove snow. Such a difficulty. But the members are in good smile as usual.

After the Mass they organised a small party to welcome me. Wonderful time to be with them. After so many years in Japan without Church facilities in this rural area, finally they got a place to come together on Sundays. Here they are able to pray together, eat together and share stories together. Thank God for this wonderful gift of people to our diocese.

SVD Visitator General is in Niigata

2011-02-24T20:59:00.000+09:00

Fr. Arlindo Pereira Dias, SVD, one of the SVD general council member is in Niigata diocese since yesterday as the Visitator General of the Japan Province of SVD. Fr. Arlindo, originally from Brazil, has been appointed as the Visitator General of Japan by the Superior General, Fr. Pernia, to visit all SVD communities in Japan and make evaluation on the missionary apostolate of SVD in Japan. According to the Constitution of SVD, this kind of general visitation must be completed every 6 years. It must be very tough job to complete for all these confreres appointed as a visitator since they have to be always on the road visiting different people everyday for almost a month.

I still remember the last General Visitation of Japan 6 years ago because my appointment as a bishop of Niigata was announced while Fr. Konrad Keler, the Vice General of SVD, had been in Japan as the Visitator General. In fact, when I received a phone call from Nuncio on my appointment, the visitator was with me in my car and I was wondering whether I should share this news with him or not since Nuncio had told me to keep quiet till the announcement was made.

Today, Fr. Arlindo is in Nagaoka with Fr. Ferdimar to visit places where Fr. Ferdimar has been executing his ministry for migrants in the diocese. Then he will move to Akita and will meet all the SVD confreres there before he returns to Nagoya to continue his visitation.

I met Fr. Arlindo first time in 2002 in Sao Paulo during the final vows ceremony of one of Japanese seminarians there. At that time I was a provincial of Japan and Fr. Arlindo was a provincial of Brazil Central. So welcome Fr. Arlindo to Niigata and enjoy good food, drinks, people and air in the diocese.

Bishops met in Tokyo for the GA

2011-02-20T16:14:00.000+09:00

Extraordinary General Assembly of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan (CBCJ) was held in Tokyo from 14 to 18 February. In fact, this "Extraordinary" meeting is nothing but one of 2 annual meetings of Japanese bishops in February and June. The meeting in June is called the "Ordinary" and February one is called the "Extraordinary" in order not to be confused. Therefore the meeting was not called for emergency issue as such.

Completion of the Japanese translation of the Roman Missal has been our priority for past several years and again, during this meeting, a section from the Holy Week liturgy was brought up as one of the agenda. We also had discussion on the 10th anniversary of the publication of the "Inochi-eno-manazashi (Reverence for Life)" which is "a Message for the Twenty-First Century from The Catholic Bishops of Japan". Our life which is a gift from God has been threatened and in crisis in present world. In Japan, for past 12 years, more than thirty thousand people a year commit suicide. In fact, many of these people were drove to the point where they could not think about any other choices than to take one's own life. In daily news reports, there are frequent stories of incidents that someone took other's life without any specific reasons. Life is in crisis. In 2001, 10 years ago, Japanese bishops wrote as follows.

Japanese society is marked today by anxiety and sadness. Economic stagnation due to the collapse of the "bubble economy," the weakening of family bonds, violence in schools, shocking crimes by children and an increasing number of suicides by middle-aged and elderly people have led many people to think that there is no answer to our longing for light and support.

Yet, God made and loves people. Human life, God's one-time gift to each of us, is sacred. That is the main reason the Catholic bishops of Japan have decided to present this message regarding life and humanity to the world.

Then 10 good years have passed since this message had been delivered to the Japanese society and the situation of life in Japan is getting worse. We also know that quite a number of new issues have arose which were not included in the message, such as the bioethics issue. Therefore, we felt that Catholic Church who knows that our life if a gift from God has obligation to speak out to Japanese society again. We entrusted a "4-bishop's ad hoc commission" which has been working on the issue of evengelization in Japan to work out on our answer to this call and will discuss about it again in June. You may find the entire text of the 2001 message in English in the HP of the CBCJ.

We also had study session on Okinawa during the meeting in response to the message by Bishop Oshikawa of Naha on the issue of military base and history of Okinawa.

Transfers and appointments

2011-02-12T17:23:00.000+09:00

April is the beginning of the new school year and new fiscal year in Japan and, therefore, the time for transfers and new appointments. Catholic Church in Japan is no exception of this tradition in Japan and number of dioceses have announced their plan of new appointments recently. As for myself, I had to work on 2 dioceses, Niigata and Sapporo, at the same time and it was not easy. As it has been already announced in Sapporo diocese, there are quite a number of changes especially in the area where Franciscan Fathers (OFM) are working. I learned that the Japan Province of the OFM made a drastic change of focus of their mission in Japan and shifted several confreres within the province. Also they have decided to hand over the administration of several parishes to respective dioceses. Fortunately for Sapporo, OFM decided to add more confreres to work for the diocese.

As for Niigata diocese, OFM also made a decision to hand over the administration of Parishes in Omotemachi, Fukuzumi, both in Nagaoka, and Tokamachi to diocese. Therefore, after the Easter, Fr. Manabu Takahashi, a diocesan priest, will take posts of the parish priest of these 3, Omotemachi, Fukuzumi and Tokamachi. Fr. Bruno Fabbri, OFM, will be transferred to Itoigawa as the cooperative priest working with the parish priest, Fr. Domenic Gandolfi, OFM. Fr. Ferdimar Faminialagao, SVD, will remain in Nagaoka as the assistant. SVD is sending Fr. Jose Lorenzo, SVD also as an assistant to Fr. Takahashi and also work with Fr. Ferdimar for migrants in Niigata. Addition to these appointments, Hanazono parish will get their new pastor. Present parish administrator for a year, Fr. Fernando Parra has been appointed as a parish priest of Hanazono from this Easter.

Another movements in Niigata diocese is for Akita district. Fr. Okazaki, present parish priest of Odate, will also take care of Kazuno at the same time and Fr. Ban of Kazuno and Noshiro will be a parish priest of Noshiro alone. Then SVD is sending Fr. Fransiskus Asisi Moruk, SVD, to Akita as an assistant and Fr. Praful Kujur, SVD, to Odate as an assistant. Fr. Moruk is a new missionary from Indonesia and Fr.Praful is a newly ordained last year and originally from India.

Please kindly remember our dear priests in Niigata and Sapporo diocese in your prayer.

Pastoral letter on NCW in Niigata diocese

2011-02-08T13:59:00.002+09:00

Following is the provisional translation of my pastoral letter on NCW in Niigata diocese issued on 1 February. Original text is in Japanese which you may find in the official site of the diocese.

My dear brothers and sisters of Niigata Diocese,

Peace of the Lord be with you,

re: Neocatechumenal Way in Niigata diocese

Recently, several reports on the issue of Neocatechumenal Way (NCW) and Japanese Bishops have appeared on the National Catholic Weekly, Katorikku Shinbun. I was one of the participants of the reported meeting on 13 December last year in Vatican which had been summoned by Holy Father. In order to explain the situation and also to make an appeal to the faithful in Japan, Archbishop Ikenaga, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan (CBCJ) has written an article on the National Catholic Weekly. In view of the situation, I would like to explain the position of our Diocese.

1: Background

NCW has been established in 1964 by a Spanish lay person, Mr. Francisco (Kiko) Gomez Arguello, and others as "one of the forms of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith" (quote from the Statute). They began their activities in Japan by 1970 in Hiroshima diocese and have spread to other dioceses particularly within Takamatsu diocese.

The Statute of NCW has been approved in 2008 by the Pontifical Council for the Laity and recently their Catechism received an official approval from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Therefore, NCW is a group officially recognized within the Catholic Church.

Unfortunately in Japan, setting up of the International Mission Seminary in Takamatsu resulted in division among faithful in parishes, even to the point that former Bishop of Takamatsu was brought to the civil court for the libel case. In 2003, Holy See appointed late Cardinal Kim of Seoul as the Special Delegate to inspect the situation of Takamatsu Diocese. Regarding to this chaotic situation, Archbishop Ikenaga wrote in his article that "there has been rampant confusion, conflict, division, and chaos." In 2004, Bishop Mizobe was transferred from Sendai to Takamatsu to solve problems and create unity in the diocese.

Japanese Bishops for past few years have recognized the situation of Takamatsu as the issue affecting entire Catholic community in Japan and spent quite substantial time to try to find the suitable way out and also made number of negotiation with the Holy See. One of results of the negotiation was transfer of the priest formation of the NCW in Japan from Takamatsu to Rome in 2008. Their seminary for Japan still remains in Rome.

2: Present issue

Japanese Bishops are not in the position of denying the NCW itself which have received an official recognition from the Holy See. Also we are fully aware of number of cases of acceptance of the NCW and their success stories in many dioceses outside Japan. If that is the case, however, we believe that the root cause of division and confusion for past 20 years after the establishment of the seminary in one Japanese diocese that involved laity, religious and priests should be clarified. It can not be said that the replication of success stories in other dioceses outside Japan could be automatically guaranteed also in Japan. In fact, we are also aware of stories of some negative experiences with NCW in several dioceses in other countries.

During the meeting summoned by Holy Father on 13 December last year, 4 bishops from Japan including the president of CBCJ, Archbishop Ikenaga and also myself, tried to explain our situation to Holy Father and several other Cardinals of the Curia. We emphasized our proposal as we had communicated with Mr. Kiko that the best way to find the solution to rectify the situation in Japan was to halt the activities of NCW in Japan for mean time in order to clarify the root cause of the problem and start dialogue between the leadership of the NCW and Japanese bishops after the reflection period. In response, Holy Father, after carefully listened to our points and also of the Curia Cardinals, decided to send his own delegate to Japan instead of halting the activities of NCW.

As of today, the delegate has not been appointed. However, once the delegate will be sent to Japan, he might be coming to Niigata diocese also. In that case, as Archbishop Ikenaga wrote in his article, I will try as much as possible to provide opportunities to everyone who have something to share with the delegate.

3: Position of Niigata Diocese

There are quite a number of faithfuls in Niigata diocese who live their faith in the NCW. First and most, I would like to point out with emphasis that we have a lot to learn from them who are serious in their faith practice.

By the way, there are 2 priests belonging to Takamatsu diocese working in Niigata with our diocesan priests. As for these 2 priests, they have been seconded to Niigata as the "fidei donum" priests under a contract between bishop of Takamatsu and Niigata and, I understand, they should have nothing to do with the NCW as long as they are assigned to parishes in Niigata diocese.

According to the section 2 of the article 1 of the statute of the NCW, "the Neocatechumenal Way is at the service of the bishop as one of the forms of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith." Then in the section 1 of the article 26 of the statute states as responsibility of a diocesan bishop that "to authorize the implementation of the Neocatechumenal Way in the diocese." Therefore it is my duty as a bishop of Niigata diocese to decide whether I would employ the NCW as the form "of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith" for my diocese, Niigata, or not.

As of this moment, I DO NOT employ the NCW as the form of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith in Niigata diocese. Also I DO NOT have any plan to employ it in near future for our diocese.

Already in my very first pastoral letter, "Varietate Unitas," I have stated my principle thought for the parish formation as follows. "I do not agree with the idea to employ ready-made methods or specific movements for the formation of parish communities in Niigata diocese."

To be realistic to the present situation of the diocese, it is a simple fact that our parish communities are quite tiny in number of parishioners. It is much more fitting to these tiny communities to be united in one direction and move together than dividing already small community to much more smaller groups. Also for the evangelization in this local situation as a small minority group, being a living witness of gospel values through our presence as united communities which are praying together and assisting each other would be the best way.

In the same reason, I DO NOT think that liturgies, especially for Sundays and Holy Weeks, celebrated in separation from the Parish communities appropriate for our diocese. Of course, under the permission of parish priests, it has been allowed to any groups to organize their liturgies in separation from the Parish communities only in special occasions, such as retreats or conferences.

As we consider the possibilities of evangelization and future of our parish communities, we can not avoid to face changes. What I would like to tell you concerning the present issue is that we have to re-think about ourselves, our way of forming parish communities. We have to think it again and again that how we should be changed to follow the reality of the modern world, how are we to proclaim the gospel and how are we to live the gospel value. Unless each one of us are vitalized by gospel value in respective ways, no methods nor movements could vitalize our parish communities.

Let us pray for the guidance of Holy Spirit over our diocese and the Catholic Church in Japan.

1 February, 2011

Bishop Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Bishop of Niigata

Confirmation Mass in Aoyama

2011-01-30T18:42:00.003+09:00

Niigata area has been suffering from heavy snow since Christmas and we had yet another heavy snow last night. Of course, total snowfall in Niigata city area is nothing compare with one in mountain area such as Tokamachi, but it has been quite enough for the city which does not have so much snow usually. Despite heavy snow fall and severe cold weather, quite number of parishioners made effort to join the Sunday Mass in Aoyama Catholic Church in which 7 ladies received the sacrament of confirmation. Since 5 out of 7 were from youth group, high school students and college students, number of their friends from neighbouring parishes also join the celebration. (photo above: preparation by Fr. Raul, the parish priest, before Mass)

Gospel today was the famous "Sermon on the Mount" from Matthew. Jesus began with a declaration of "Blessed are those" and draw attention of people who had wanted to know how to be blessed people. However, Jesus did not taught them how to become blessed but rather he declared "Blessed are the poor in spirit". As if to explain the meaning of the "Poor in Spirit", today's Mass offered us the first Corinthians as the second reading. Through the second reading, we get to know that what we could be proud of is not what we have but rather the source of what we have which is the source of our life, God. So we would be blessed if we are able to surrender ourselves completely to God.

Christian Unity Octave service in Aoyama

2011-01-21T14:27:00.000+09:00

Though Catholic Church and Christian Churches of other denominations all over the world always pray for unity among Christians, a special week of prayer has been observed annually from 18 to 25 January. For this year's octave, Christian council and Catholic Church chose the Acts of Apostles chapter 2, verses 42 to 47 as the theme for the prayer service which is "One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer". Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan (CBCJ) and the National Christian Council in Japan (NCC) have been working together to prepare a booklet every year for the prayer service and encourage their respective members to organise joint prayer services during the octave.

As for Niigata city area, since late Bishop Ito and late Bishop Sato, both my predecessor of Niigata diocese, were the chairman of the Ecumenism Commission of the CBCJ, a week long joint services for Christian Unity was one of the regular events for Christian Churches in the city. Until recently, daily evening prayer service during the octave had been organised by the council of Christian teachers of Niigata city and member churches, including Catholic parishes, took turn to host the prayer service. However, problem had arisen that majority of members, both Catholics and other denominations, grew old and were not able to venture out into cold winter evening. So it was decided by the teachers' council to reduce numbers of the prayer service to 4 times during the week and shift the timing to 10am.

Today was the turn for the Aoyama Catholic Church to host the prayer service of this year and around 35 people joined the prayer for Christian Unity led by the parish priest, Fr. Raul (photo above). Fr. Raul invited the participants, including 5 ministers from other denominations, to put more trust in the power of Jesus who broke down the wall and make his followers one. He also pointed out that "when we see someone fighting on the street, then we do not want to get involved in the trouble. So if Christians are fighting each other, then who wants to come to join us?".

There will be a main prayer service on Sunday, 23 at 2 pm in Niigata Catholic Cathedral which will be led by Fr. Otaki, the diocesan chancellor. You are most welcome to join us. Then at 10am on 25, Tuesday, final day of this year's octave will be observed in the Higashinaka-dori Christian Church.

Okinawa

2011-01-09T18:54:00.002+09:00

Okinawa was the destination for a study tour for Bishops in last December organised by the committee for the Social Issues of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan (CBCJ). All together 7 Bishops, including myself, joined a 3-day study tour which was meant to be a beginning of the Bishops' response to a message delivered by Bishop Oshikawa of Okinawa. During the Catholic Justice and Peace National Convention in Sapporo last year, Bishop Oshikawa sent a message appealing the participants to consider the heavy burdens of people in Okinawa who had been hosting foreign military bases in this small island for over 60 years and asked bishops to take action not in Okinawa but in Tokyo where Japanese government is located in order to bring a cry of Okinawa into the midst of the reality of daily life of majority in Japan. So the bishops decided to go to Okinawa first to know the reality of military bases and history of Okinawa.

We visited several war memorial sites including 2 caves which had been used as a make-shift military hospital and a shelter for civilians.  While we were in one of these caves, a guide asked us to put our torch lights off and stay in complete darkness so that we might be able to consider terrible situation of suffering of people during the war in Okinawa. Of course, there were no sounds of shootings and bombings nor scream of injured and dying.  Though my experience of shootings in a refugee's camp in Zaire in 95 is nothing to compare with the experience of people in Okinawa, the complete darkness and wet air made me to feel somehow frightfulness of people at that time.

We also visited several US military bases, including Kadena, Futenma and Camp Schwab, though we could only observe them from outside. The photo above is from the Henoko Beach where the Camp Schwab is located. Japanese government had made an agreement with the US to remove the Futenma base and bring it to the Camp Schwab. Futenma is in the midst of Ginowan city and too dangerous for the marine helicopters to fly over the densely populated city area. However, the idea to bring the function of Futenma to Camp Schwab is also causing controversy because this beautiful tropical sea of Henoko beach will be destroyed by proposed new airstrips.  Number of local people in the area has been conducting a sit-in protest to the proposal for more than 2,400 days.

Though I do not want to be too idealistic on the issue of national security, however, as a religious, I should always emphasize the importance of protecting human life which is a gift from God. I do understand the importance of having sufficient forces for national self defense. However I do not know whether the reality of Okinawa is meant for the sufficient national defense in Japan. I think it is too much and majority of us, those in the main land Japan, has been too insensitive to people of Okinawa for many years.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T13:32:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year!

May the year 2011 be filled with blessings from the Father of all creation, the source of our life, and your heart be filled with His love.

Though it was a rough evening yesterday with strong wind and chilly rain, more than 30 people joined with me to celebrate a midnight Mass for the World Day of Peace. Holy Father chose "RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, THE PATH TO PEACE" as theme of this year's message for Peace. As Holy Father reminds us of the situation of Christians in countries where the religious freedom is not guaranteed or restricted, and in countries where hatred against Christians have been escalating such as in Iraq, let us remember our brothers and sisters in difficult situations in our prayer for Peace.

Dear brothers and sisters, more than a year has passed since I had been appointed as the apostolic administrator of Sapporo diocese while I have been serving as a bishop of Niigata. I would like to ask your prayer as ever for myself and for the appointment of a new bishop of Sapporo.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-27T23:51:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas to you all in Niigata and Sapporo dioceses!

During our midnight Mass in Niigata cathedral on 24th evening, 2 strong young men have been baptized and also been confirmed by me after several months of intensive preparation by Fr. Ebe, the parish priest and his assistant, Fr. Sakamoto. As usual, the Cathedral was packed by the people to join the Christmas celebration including quite number of non-Christians. The evening Mass on 24th December attracts many non-Christians in Japan and a Christmas party has become December tradition in recent Japan. At least those who decided to come to Church on the night had chance to listen to the Word of God.

Northern part of Japan has been covered by heavy snow fall for the Christmas day. Niigata city itself was not so bad but it was so cold. And the highway connecting Niigata and Fukushima was closed down completely for 2 days because of heavy snowfall and more than 300 cars were stuck for hours in cold snow. According to the weather forecast, it may snow heavy again in the end of the year. I got to fly to Sapporo tomorrow and have to return to Niigata for the midnight Mass on 31 December. I hope I will make it to Sapporo and return to Niigata on time for the end of the year Mass.

Tornado hit a part of Niigata

2010-12-08T14:44:00.001+09:00

On 3 December in the afternoon around 3 pm, a small tornado hit a part of Niigata city. It was really a windy afternoon and very cold. Fr. Fernando, a parish administrator of Hanazono Parish, was staying in his room in Toyano Church, an out-station of Hanazono, when a part of roof of Toyano Church was ripped off violently with great noise. Thank God that he was not hurt but a half of the front roof of the Church building was completely damaged and inside the building, especially the second floor, was soaked with strong rain. Nearby High School building was also damaged and several students were injured by broken windows. According to the local meteorological observatory, the area was hit by a small tornado. Recently we hear a lot of incidents of tornado in Japan. Until few years ago, we thought that tornado has nothing to do with Japan. Is this because of climate change we are talking about?

Chapel renovation in Yamagata completed

2010-11-30T18:51:00.002+09:00

The parish chapel of Yamagata has been under renovation for past few months and the construction work has been completed by the end of October. So the re-dedication Mass of the Parish Chapel was celebrated on 28 November, the first Sunday of Advent, which was attended by more than 100 parishioners including those members from Shinjo. Entire flooring, ceiling and wall have been refurbished and a new stained glass window has been added behind the alter, above the crucifix. Also in order to make the building earthquake resistant, several windows have been removed so that walls would be able to withstand powerful quakes. A slope way has been added at the entrance of the chapel so that wheel chairs could easily enter the place of worship and prayer. Parish priest, Fr. Honma and the parish council members went through hard time to negotiate with parishioners on several issues on the renovation planning. I do appreciate their tireless effort to involve everyone in the parish community. Ayekoo (GOKURO-SAMA, or good job in Ghana local language).

After the Mass on Sunday, a celebration get-together was held in the parish hall. Almost half of the participants were our Filipino members who brought their famous Filipino foods for sharing. I really enjoyed its international atmosphere of the Yamagata Parish community. I hope that the renovated chapel would be the foundation of the active community life so that the Church community of Yamagata would be the symbol of unity and communion among the society which is in need of clear direction for the better life. Many people are at a loss of clear direction of their own life and present society which does not give due respect to human lives can not provide bright and clear vision for the future.

The 16th Korea-Japan Bishops Exchange meeting

2010-11-25T22:29:00.001+09:00

The 16th Korea-Japan Bishops Exchange meeting was held in Cheongju in Korea from 16 to 18 November. All together 13 Bishops from Japan and 17 Bishops from Korea participated in the program. This year, our main theme of the program was suicide which has been one of the major social problem in both Japan and Korea recently. As for Japan, since 1998 more than thirty thousand people commit suicide every year because of various reasons. My diocese, Niigata, has the highest rate of suicide among elderly people. Since Caritas Japan has been tackling with this problem in Japan, Bishop Koda who is in charge of the social enlightenment program of Caritas Japan gave a talk on the topic of "Suicide and pastoral response of the Church in Japan." Dr. Hong Kang-eui from Korea gave a talk on the topic of "Present state of suicide in Korea and policy directions."

Caritas Japan has just published a booklet on this issue based on the survey in several Catholic communities in Japan. This booklet in Japanese is available free of charge from Caritas Japan office in Tokyo.

It seems that the Catholic Church in Korea has been receiving quite a number of new episcopal appointments in past few years so that there were number of new faces among participants. There are 16 dioceses in Japan. Korea also have the same number of the diocese including the military ordinary but the total number of bishops are much more than Japan since there are several auxiliaries. Whenever I visit the Catholic Church in Korea, I really feel overwhelmed by their size and power. According to the statics, there are more than 4 million Catholic in South Korea which is around 9% of the population while there are around half a million Catholics in Japan which is far less than 1% of the population. There are around 700 priests in the Seoul archdiocese while I have less than 20 priests in my diocese.

Caritas Diocesan directors met in Hiroshima

2010-11-14T21:39:00.001+09:00

Caritas Japan has organised an annual diocesan directors meeting from 9 to 11 November in Hiroshima. Though the respective dioceses have quite different type of Caritas organisations, majority of the directors from 16 Catholic dioceses in Japan got together in the diocesan administration office in Hiroshima. As these directors have been appointed by their own bishops for charitable activities or welfare activities in their dioceses and not directly for the national organisation, Caritas Japan have to coordinate with the diocesan directors at least once a year to ask their assistance especially in fund raising activities. Without assistance from them, Caritas Japan is unable to organise fund raising as we have been doing.

It was my second time to visit Hiroshima. Since I did not have enough time to visit the A-bomb memorial last time, I wanted to make sure to take time to visit the memorial. I have been to Nagasaki memorial several times but Hiroshima memorial also had quite an impact on me. We human beings should utilise our wisdom which has been granted by God to avoid such misery of our own making. (Photo above: Hiroshima Peace memorial Chapel with a statue of JPII who visited Hiroshima in 1981)

Seoul Pax Forum

2010-11-14T13:02:00.001+09:00

I was honored to be invited as a keynote speaker for the 2010 Seoul Pax Forum organised by the Catholic Education Foundation and the Catholic University of Korea on 5 November in Seoul. The Foundation was established in 1994 with the sponsorship of the Seoul Archdiocese and is currently administering several schools in Seoul Archdiocese including the Catholic University of Korea. The venue of the forum was the St. Mary's Hospital which is also under the administration of the Foundation. This is the second forum organised by the Foundation with the theme, "Solidarity for Asian Peace". It was my first experience to give a talk outside Japan and also in completely prepared English text. Because of the translation and publication of a booklet, the text had been prepared beforehand and was sent to the organising committee so that what I had to do was to just read through the text. I spoke on the very basics of the Human Development from the view point of Catholic Church as a president of Caritas Japan. I do believe the concept of Human Development has common value with the Gospel message and Caritas organisation of the Catholic Church could be the best tool to implement this concept since the Caritas organisation is both global and local at the same time. Caritas organisation is always with people in grassroots level since the organisation completely rely on the local Church structure. Where there is a Catholic Church, then there is Caritas.

I am grateful to the organizer of the forum to invite me to share my thoughts on development and also share our experience, for Caritas Japan, to be a part of peace building and development in Asia.

This is the day, for Shinjo.

2010-10-31T22:55:00.001+09:00

A Catholic community in Shinjo in Yamagata prefecture has finally acquired their own place of worship on Thursday, 28 October. It took more than 9 years to make their dream come true. According to the sharing by one of their leading members, when she had arrived in Shinjo area 22 years ago, she could find everything she needed for her life except a place of worship. In the year 2001, Fr. Honma, then a parish priest of Tsuruoka decided to travel to Shinjo to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in a public facility and asked her to invite her friends to come for the Mass. She went around the town to find her friends even during the shopping in a local supermarket. When I first visited their community in 2005, I was actually surprised to know that so many of them were there. The majority of the Catholic community in Shinjo are from Philippines. In 80's and 90's, the local government invited Filipinos, Chinese and Korean ladies to come to Japan to be wives of local Japanese farmers. In 2007, when I made yet another visit to the community, I asked them to count the actual number of Filipinos in the area and we found out that there are more than 100 residing. They are not only wives but also mothers of many kids who had been baptised. During that visit, the community expressed their desire to build their own Church. I was skeptical. The community did not have enough fund in their coffers. There were, and even now, only 2 local Japanese members in the community of Shinjo. So when they asked me about building their Church, I said "yes" but, in fact, I thought it would be just a dream.

But God has his own plan and he provided us everything what we needed. In my 2009 pastoral letter, I asked the entire diocese to consider to support the Shinjo so that we might be able to build a Church by 2012 when the Niigata diocese celebrates its 100th anniversary. But an abandoned private kindergarten building and its land was put on sale last year and the information was brought to the diocese by Fr. Honma, the parish priest of Yamagata and in charge of Shinjo. Still I was in doubt since we did not have enough contribution at that time and the Niigata diocese is not so financially well-off with only 7,000 Catholics. However, God has his own plan to be realised. In my surprise, so many people and parish communities,including several individuals from other dioceses, made significant contributions and early this year, we managed to purchase the property. Thank God. It took 6 moths to refurbish the building to make a kindergarten to a church. A significant contributions also made us able to purchase a wonderful set of stained glasses.

As Catholic Church in Japan does not have sufficient outposts in rural villages, the presence of so many Filipinos in the villages as wives and mothers are quite crucial for the evengelisation in Japan. In fact, as I have been telling them, they are missionaries sent to Japan to be witness of the Word of God despite their different reasons to be in Japan. God has his own plan to proclaim his good news in Japan.

Thank you for the effort made by the Shinjo community and support from other Catholic communities in the Niigata diocese. I also thank all other people outside the diocese who has been supporting the Catholics in Shinjo. Now is the time for the members in Shinjo, with 2 Japanese, many Filipinos and many more kids, to consider the Church as their "base" of the life and make long-term plan to maintain the building and develop the community. We are always with you.

SVD ordination of the class 2010 in Japan

2010-10-19T17:07:00.003+09:00

On 16th October in the parish chapel of Nanzan Catholic Church in Nagoya, 4 SVD confreres were ordained priests for the Japan province of the Society of the Divine Word. Originally, Bishop Nomura of Nagoya diocese was asked to be the main celebrant of the ordination Mass, however, sudden change of his schedule made him unable to join the celebration. Therefore, I was asked to be there, at the last moment, to ordain these 4 confreres. Fortunately, I did not have any particular program on the ordination day, so that I was able to be in Nagoya for the ordination, though I could not join the celebration after the Mass in the evening. After all, I am privileged to ordain all together 9 SVD confreres this year; 5 in Ghana and 4 in Japan.

All the 4 new priests were from countries other than Japan but they had been in Japan for quite sometime to complete their theology formation in Nanzan University in Nagoya. In fact, there are no Japanese seminarians among temporary professed members of the SVD in Japan at this moment. The seminary community in Nagoya is quite international. Family members of the new priests all managed to acquire visa to Japan and join the celebration.

The ordination Mass was con-celebrated by more than 40 priests and the chapel of Nanzan which could contain more than 500 people were packed wall to wall. Since the rector, Fr. Xavier and the prefect, Fr. Narui, trained their seminarians very well in liturgy, the ordination Mass was so solemnly performed that, time to time, I have to be directed by them how to behave well as a bishop during the Mass. Though there were no dancing for the Mass, such as in Ghana, it took 2 and half hours to complete the ceremony. Congratulations for the newly ordained SVD Fathers and I will be waiting to welcome you in my diocese.

100th anniversary of Iwamizawa Catholic Church

2010-10-14T13:36:00.001+09:00

A parish in Iwamizawa, an hour drive from Sapporo toward the north in Hokkaido, celebrated its 100th anniversary on 11 October with thanksgiving Mass and a party. The thanksgiving Mass, which was presided over by myself, was attended by more than 100 people and several priests working around the area.

Iwamizawa used to be a key town for the rail way transportation for coal mining business in nearby Yubari coal complex. However, all these mines have been closed down by 1990 and city of Yubari itself went bankrupt in 2007. Iwamizawa city was also hit by this recession in the mining business severely and still suffering. Iwamizawa's population is around 90,000 and the Catholic community has around 100 members in the register book. Fr. Miyabe, a diocesan priest of Sapporo, has been a parish priest since 2005 as its 18th pastor.

The Catholic mission was established in 1909 by a French missionary and a chapel was built in 1910. Then the mission of Iwamizawa was entrusted to Franciscans (OFM) from Germany in 1911 until 1954 when a Maryknoll missionary was appointed as its 10th pastor. In 1973, a diocesan priest was appointed and, since then, the pastoral care of the parish has been under the diocesan priests. The present chapel and a rectory was built in 2002.

After the Mass, we all moved to a building of the agricultural cooperative across the street for a party. Though the parish community is small in number, they did quite well to prepare for the celebration. Especially, I was so happy to see so many kids praying music for us. Also a traditional street performance by a lady and a famous folk song performance by yet another lady were quite professional and wonderful. Thank you for inviting us for such a wonderful and warm celebration.

Network Meeting in Shikotsuko

2010-10-10T21:37:00.000+09:00

The 19th Network Meeting has been held in Shikotsuko (Lake Shikotsu) in Hokkaido from 9 to 10 October and more than 100 Catholic youths from all over Japan have gathered together in the Youth Hostel for their bi-annual meeting to exchange information on the Catholic Youth Apostolate in each diocese and deepen their friendship. The Network Meeting itself has been planned and executed by young Catholics in Japan by themselves and assisted by the Japan Catholic Youth National Council, the officially recognized council by Bishops' Conference. In 1998, the Bishops' Conference decided to discontinue the National Youth Committee of the Bishops'Conference and asked each of 16 dioceses in Japan to organise their own youth apostolate according to the local needs and situation. However, Catholic Youth themselves felt needs to create their own association in national level to support each other and, thus, created the Japan Catholic Youth Council as their own organisation. Through their discussion in the Council, they came with this bright idea of organising a network of youth apostolate in the Catholic Church in Japan and of organising bi-annual gatherings of youth in national level. The very first meeting was held in Tokyo in 2001 and after 9 years, finally, it reached the northern end of Japan. The Bishops' Conference is supporting the youth apostolate by appointing Bishop Koriyama of Kagoshima as a bishop in charge.

For the 19th meeting, more than 20 youths from Sapporo diocese set up the organizing committee under the guidance of Fr. Morita, the diocesan youth chaplain. The committee created wonderful 2-day program of activities and also organised themselves to prepare wonderful meals which was appreciated by participants from all over Japan including 8 priests and a Sister. Niigata diocese was represented by 4 youths.

The participants were divided into 10 groups and, on Saturday afternoon which I had participated in, sent out to look for 20 typical Hokkaido scenery which they had to take photos. Photo above is the one of these groups taking one of these photos. The very first item the participants from outside Hokkaido in this group mentioned was a buttered potatoes which is quite popular in Hokkaido.

The International day in Sapporo diocese celebrated

2010-10-04T21:48:00.000+09:00

On 26 September, the Mission Sunday, the annual International Day was celebrated in Sapporo diocese. The cathedral parish, Kita-ichijo, was the venue for the 11th International Day which was began with the Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 am presided over by me. I could see during the Mass that there were more than 200 people attending. One of the members of the English Mass community was the organist and there was a wonderful choir for the Mass. Mass was said in mixture of several languages.

After the Mass, there was a festival in the KG ground where one could find good food from all over the world. Also so many talented people in Sapporo gathered together to sing and dance. Even there were African drumming performance and a gospel choir. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to enjoy with them since I had to go back to Niigata.

The 36th Justice and Peace National Assembly in Sapporo

2010-09-22T16:15:00.001+09:00

Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace has organised their 36th national assembly from 18 to 20 September in Sapporo. More than 300 people participated in the event which was hosted by Sapporo Diocese. Main theme of the assembly was "realising the true co-existing society" and particular focus was given to the local issue of human rights in Hokkaido, the history with AINU, the indigenous people in Japan.

On the first day, we had the first study session in the chapel of Anglican Church in Sapporo near Hokkaido University. Bishop Uematsu of Hokkaido and the Anglican primate of Japan was also in attendance. We invited several people from the AINU association of Hokkaido to give us talks on their history and culture. Mr. Abe, the vice president of the association talked on the history and reality of discrimination against to them in Japanese society and how they had been fighting for their own rights. Ms.Ogawa and her son gave us wonderful cultural performance. (Photo above: Ms. Ogawa explaining about their traditional dress)

On the second day after morning Mass in Kita-Jyuichijo parish presided by Bishop Tani, the chairman of the Council, participants were divided into 10 groups, 5 for excursions and 5 for study sessions.

Then on the third day in Kita-Jyuichijo parish, 3 bishops, Bishop Matsuura of Osaka, Bishop Koda of Tokyo and myself gave half an hour presentation respectively on the issue of human rights. I spoke on the tribal segregation and human life referring to the history of Rwanda and the political manipulation of people which should be considered as one of causes of genocide in 1994. After the talks, closing Mass was celebrated with more than 500 people. There were not only those who came for the Justice and Peace assembly but also many more diocesan members who joined the session with 3 bishops and Mass. Many thanks to the local commission for Justice and Peace who had spent so much time and energy to prepare for the event together with Fr. Shinkai.

Confirmation in Hakodate

2010-09-21T20:53:00.000+09:00

30 members of Catholic parishes in Hakodate area in Sapporo diocese have received sacrament of confirmation on 12 September in Miyamae-cho Catholic Church in Hakodate. They were from parishes in Tobetsu, Motomachi, Yunokawa and Miyamae-cho together with their respective parish priests, Fr.Koyama of Tobetsu, Fr. Raud of Motomachi, Fr Haure of Yunokawa and Fr. Goto of Miyamae-cho who is also the dean of Hakodate district. The chapel of Miyamae-cho, a circular and tabernacle look-alike building is a quite modern and unique construction with a lot of open space. However, when these 30 people stood in front of the alter with their patrons, no more space was left form me to walk around. More than 300 people attended the Mass which was filled by joy and enthusiasm.

Since this was my first visit to Hakodate as the apostolic administrator of Sapporo, Fr. Goto arranged a talk by me on Saturday afternoon with parishioners. I wanted people to know who I am so that I gave a power point presentation on my missionary days in Ghana. After the talk, we went out to a local restaurant with more more than 20 members for a good diner of fresh fish and wonderful Sake drinks.

Khabarovsk visit

2010-09-08T14:10:00.000+09:00

A 10-member delegation team from Niigata diocese has completed this years exchange visit to Khabarovsk on 30 August. The visit was a part of our exchange programme between Niigata diocese and Khabarovsk Catholic Church in Irkutsk diocese, Russia. The team was consisted of 2 priests, Fr.Machida and Fr. Sakamoto, 3 university students, 4 supporting members and myself.   We left Niigata on 25 August from Niigata airport and returned to Narita on 30 morning since there is only one flight a week between Niigata and Khabarovsk at this moment. Main purpose of the visit was to organise exchange programme with the Youth in Khabarovsk Catholic Community.  We could manage to bring only 3 youths from Japan, mostly because of the quite high cost of the travel, but around 10 youths joined the programme from Russia side.

Under the loving guidance of 3 Rev. Sisters of SSVM, the female branch of the Argentina-based Institute of the Incarnate Word, of which the Parish priest, Fr. Marcelo belongs to, both Japanese and Russian youths enjoyed several activities together in spite of deep language barrier. Thanks to the wonderful translation efforts made by Ms. Takahashi who used to work in Khabarovsk as a lay missionary to stand in between 2 language groups to make them able to understand each other.  After a few days of spending together, they started to try to communicate through English, signs and drawings. They also tried to use their own tourist conversation books by pointing at the appropriate sentences in the book.

We are also grateful to the rector of the seminary of the Orthodox Church in Khabarovsk who invited us to visit their Cathedral and seminary. We were even allowed to climb the bell tower of the Cathedral. Also the rector invited us to join him to visit the Orthodox Sister's convent where we were treated by wonderful dinner prepared by sisters.

I sincerely thank the Catholic community in Khabarovsk and hope that this exchange experience would continue for many more years. I also hope that many more people from Japan would have chance to visit the Catholic community in Siberia and also have experience encounter with the Orthodox Church in Russia.

Ordination of 5 SVDs in Ghana

2010-08-18T16:02:00.004+09:00

On Saturday, 7 August, 5 young SVD missionaries from Ghana have been ordained priests in St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church in Abeka, Accra. I was honoured to be a presiding bishop to ordain these 5 young men. During 4-hour long celebration under mild Sunshine of rainy season in Ghana, (from left to right in the photo above) Fr. Hans Gerber Agbenafa, Fr. Elrom Akpatsa, Fr. Francis Dolagbenu, Fr. Martin Dumas and Fr. Peter Kabutey presented themselves with their respective parents as candidates for priesthood in front of more than 70 concelebrating priests and big crowd of Catholic faithful from all over Ghana.

I was particularly happy to ordain one of them, Fr. Martin Dumas whom I had known as a small alter boy in my parish in Osonson since 23 years ago. When I was appointed to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Osonson, Upper Krobo in June 1987 as a priest-in-charge, Fr.Dumas was a 10-year old boy whose native name is Akwetey.  A son of Mr. Kwesi Dumas, faithful Catechist of Osonson, Martin was a member of the Knights of Alter boys in Osonson.   Though the most alter boys did speak quite good English, which made me easy to communicate with them, Martin, though he was one of the youngest, was particularly good in English. Therefore I used to call him a lot to help me. I still remember Martin and I tried to plant a lot of trees around the mission house in Osonson. You may see the results of the planting exercise as small forest surrounding the mission house today.

Many of the alter boys joined the seminary later from Osonson but only Martin made it through. Though I expected many more priests from Osonson, I am not disappointed as such since many of the former alter boys are now doing well in different fields in the society. Some are teachers, businessmen, police, government officials etc.. God has unique way to call people to be a part of his own plan. The vocation is not only for the call to be a priest.  Each one has his or her own call by God to be somebody and as they are somebody in the society, I am happy.

Out of these 5 newly ordained, only one, Fr.Kabutey has been appointed to Ghana province. Fr.Agbenafa is for Venezuela, Fr. Akpatsa for Philippines, and Fr. Dolagbenu is for Ecuador. Then Fr. Martin Dumas has been appointed to Japan province.   He may join the Japan province of the Society of the Divine Word as soon as next January.

Preparing to visit Ghana

2010-07-27T20:13:00.001+09:00

I am visiting Ghana from 29 July to 12 August. Therefore, a new post for this blog will not appear till 13 August since I will not carry my laptop for this trip. Main purpose of the trip will be attending the ordination Mass for SVD priests in Accra on 7 August. Most probably I will be honored to preside over the ordination Mass for the Ghana Province of the Divine Word Missionaries, SVD. What is so special for this ordination of priests in Ghana this year which attracts me to travel all the way from Japan? One of the ordinands, Frt. Martin Akwetey Dumas is originally from Osonson, Krobo. While I was a parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Osonson from 1987 to 1994, Frt. Martin was a small boy, probably in primary or middle school, and one of the most active member of the Osonson Alter Boys. His father, Mr. Dumas used be one of the chief catechists of the parish and contributed a lot especially in my parish office to keep records of sacraments and to issue baptismal cards. Quite a number of former alter boys from Osonson at that time tried to join the priesthood but no one so far had managed to be ordained before Frt. Martin. Please remember him and his family in your prayer. He will preside over his first Mass in Osonson on 8 August and I will give a homily.

Last week I was in Hokkaido for a week. On Saturday, 24 July, from 3 to 5 pm, I gave a talk on Africa in Kitaichijo Church in Sapporo. The talk was organised by the Justice and Peace Committee of the Sapporo diocese as part of the several activities for the Peace commemoration weeks in Japan which will concluded with Peace Memorial Mass on 15 August, the day when Japanese government declare to surrender to allied forces in 1945.

Prior to the talk on Saturday, I visited north east of Hokkaido with Fr. Kato, the chancellor and reached Shiretoko Peninsula, the world natural heritage site. Photo above is taken in the peninsula with Ezo deer and Mt.Rausu in background. It was quite cold in that part of Japan though most of Japan was suffering of heat wave during the week. Because of the drastic difference of the temperature, I caught cold and experienced prolonged high fever. So with these symptoms of cold during very hot summer, I could feel that Japan is so widely spread from north to south.

Please remember Frt. Martin in your prayer and also pray for me so that I will fulfill my sacred duty as a bishop well and return home safe and sound. So see you on 13 August and have a blessed and hot summer.

The 3rd anniversary of the earthquake in Kashiwazaki area

2010-07-16T22:38:00.000+09:00

Today, 16 July, is the 3rd anniversary of the earthquake in Kashiwazaki area. The quake is called "Chuetsu-oki Jishin" which took 15 peoples lives and more than 1,300 houses were completely destroyed. Parish in Kashiwazaki under the pastoral care of the OFM Fathers was also affected by the quake. Since the parish priest, Fr. Bassi who built the church is an architect, the church building was not so much affected but the kindergarten building was. Number of Catholic members were also affected at that time. During the early stage of recovery, the Parish community organised themselves to offer lunch and other services from the Kindergarten garage to the local people who had lost everything. The community did very well. Since then, the local government did very well to execute the recovery programme and local people cooperated well including the Parish community. As we are hearing the news of severe rain fall and flood in several places in Japan for past few days, I do remember all those who have been affected by these natural disasters in my prayer. (Photo above; a destroyed temple. This temple has been restored recently)

By the way, the year 2010 is the 100th anniversary of birth of Mather Teresa of Calcutta and there will be the Mother Teresa Film Festival in all over Japan organized by local organising committee. Though Catholic Church is not the main force to organise these events, the Japanese Bishops Conference is fully supporting the event. And from 24 July to 6 August, the festival is coming to Niigata. The venue is the "Cine Wind" in Bandai area in Niigata. From 24 to 30 July, the show will begin at 10 am and end at 6:20 pm with 6 shows (films). From 31 July to 6 August, the show will begin at 2:30 pm and end at 5:45 pm with 2 shows (films). A ticket for each show will cost JPY 1,200. I am not so sure but you may need 6 tickets to complete the 6 shows if you wish to stay for a whole day. You might find more detailed information in your own parish centers.

Mass at Hokusanbara in Yonezawa

2010-07-08T17:04:00.003+09:00

Blessed Peter Kibe and his companions, all together 188 blessed martyrs of Japan, was once again commemorated this year on and around 1st July, their feast day, in various locations in Japan including Yonezawa where 53 of them had been executed during the persecution period. More than 100 faithful, mainly from parishes in Yamagata district, gathered together in Hokusanbara where Blessed Luis Amakasu and 52 companions were executed on 12 January, 1629 to join the Holy Eucharist celebrated by 4 priests and myself. Last year May, we had the first celebration after their beatification in November 2008 in Nagasaki. More than 900 people came to join the celebration in May and we had to ask permission from city government of Yonezawa and police department to close the surrounding streets to let people stand and join the Mass. We have decided not to invite so many people this year so that neighbours would allow us to continue this celebration for many more years. After so many years since the Samurai era in Japan, though the Church had managed to purchase part of the former execution ground of Hokusanbara, the place has been developed and now have been surrounded by private houses where no Catholics are living at all. So we have to negotiate with the local community before we proceed to plan our own celebration in Hokusanbara. Most probably, we might plan much more grand celebration every 5 years or so to invite pilgrims from all over the diocese.

July is rainy season in Japan and we were worried about the weather on Sunday, 4th July. It was raining on Saturday. However, as we started the Mass at 11 am on 4th July, Sunday, we were blessed be under beautiful sunshine. Thank God for this blessing. In fact, it started to rain by the time we all finished Mass and lunch.

After the Mass, people were divided into 6 or so groups to have lunch together and continue with sharing session on several themes related to evangelisation in Japan. There are 5 communities in Yamagata district, Yonezawa, Yamagata, Nagai, Tsuruoka and Sakata. Then one community is now emerging from Shinjo. Shinjo community is mainly by Filipino Catholics and their children. In fact, through generous assistance from many and through their own efforts, the Shinjo community are now building their own Church. Thank God for this blessing. Though Yamagata district is not so big, people are scattered around and are able to meet only once a while. So that the sharing session after the lunch was really inspiring for many. I would like to thank especially for the members of Yonezawa for their effort to prepare for the celebration. Lunch box which they chose and bought was wonderful. Thank you. Though the community of Yonezawa is not so big, they are trying very well to keep the tradition inherited from Martyrs of Yonezawsa and maintaining good spirits.

Sapporo diocese priests assembly

2010-07-02T21:47:00.003+09:00

The beginning of last month, June, priests assembly or rally for Niigata was held in Akita for 3 days. Now it is the turn of Sapporo diocese and 41 priests and a brother working in the Sapporo diocese had gathered together in Hanakawa, an hour drive from central Sapporo, for their annual priests assembly for 3 days from 28 to 30 June. There were diocesan priests, Maryknoll missionaries, Paris missionaries, Jesuit and Franciscans. In fact, territory wise, Franciscans are taking care of majority of territories of the dioceses. Diocesan priests who are not so many in numbers are much more concentrated in the Sapporo area.

I joined the gathering as the apostolic administrator and also as a lecture. On the second day, the feast day of St Peter and Paul, I gave an talk for 2 hours on my experience in Ghana and Rwanda as a missionary. The chairman of the priest council, Fr. Katsuya, had asked me to give a talk on building the Small Christian Community since I had translated a book "The Small Christian Communities" a few years ago and was a member of formation team in Nagoya diocese. However, my experience as the member of that formation team in Nagoya and as a bishop of Niigata, I now have other idea to build a parish community in Japanese Church. So I just shared my experience in my parish in Ghana and talked about the basics of building community which we can learn from foreign assistance activity of Church through Caritas. I have been working for Caritas Japan since 1995 and, at this moment, serving as the president for the 2nd term. My experience in Caritas tells me that the assitance given by Caritas is quite connected with community building from which Church may learn a lot.

Then in the evening of 29, we invited Bishop Jinushi, the emeritus bishop of Sapporo who was celebrating his names day for Peter, to have BBQ dinner together. Photo above is Bishop Jinushi receiving gift. It was a very hot day. They told me that usually in the end of June should be cool and fine, but for this year it was completely strange.

I flew from Sapporo to Tokyo on Wednesday to attend 2 meetings in the Bishops Conference on Thursday and I am in Sendai this evening. I have to give a talk on Africa tomorrow at Sendai Shirayuri University for their adult education class. Then I will drive down to Yonezawa. Since 1st July is the feast day for Blessed 188 martyrs of Japan and 53 are from Yonezawa, we are going to have the memorial Mass in Yonezawa on Sunday at 11 am. Come and join us in Hokusanbara, the place where 53 Blessed were martyred in 1629.

More foreign aid needed to build peace

2010-06-25T23:18:00.003+09:00

I have been granted a chance to meet someone whom I wanted to meet for so many years. Finally I managed to meet her in her office in Tokyo on Tuesday. She is the president of JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Ms. Sadako OGATA.

In April 1995, I was in Bukavu, Zaire as a coordinator for Caritas Japan team working in one of more than 30 Rwandan refugee camps in the area. It was exactly one year after the beginning of genocide in Rwanda. On 11 April at 10 pm, our camp, situated in a village called Birava, was attacked by several armed soldiers coming from the lake Kivu which was the border between Zaire and Rwanda. They managed to cross the lake by 3 boats, according to several eye witnesses. The Birava camp was facing against to Rwanda where refugees, Futu people, came from. Officially, no one knows who were these soldiers who attacked the camp that night. Rumor among refugees said they were RPF from present Rwanda. No one knows. What I remember is 2 hours of exchange of fire and sounds of bomb blasts. What I remember is more than 30 dead and more than 150 injured people. I was shaken. I can not forget the experience of that night. Still as at now, whenever I pass by the construction site and hear the sound of jackhammer, I immediately recall that night. At that time, we could not rely on the Mobutu's army since they were not paid enough or at all. So we wrote a letter of appeal among Caritas members in the area to Ms. Ogata who was the High Commissioner of Refugees of UN at that time. The local representative of UNHCR in Bukavu was Mr. Patrick D'souza who used to work for Caritas before. He immediately took action and negotiated with the UN to hire Zaire soldiers as their own security force to protect camps. So I wanted to thank Ms. Ogata for quick response at that time.

Now working for Japanese government as the president of the Government foreign aid agency, she shared a lot on foreign aid policy of Japan and peace building. This meeting was organised by the publisher, Don Bosco and will appear as their article on the September issue of "Katolikku Seikatsu", a Japanese Catholic monthly magazine. Ms. Ogata is a practising Catholic. She emphasised that Japanese people have to realise that Japan can not survive by itself alone but only in cooperation with other countries. To secure world peace, development aid to poorer countries is a must for Japan.

GA of CBCJ concluded

2010-06-19T16:10:00.000+09:00

A week long general assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan (CBCJ) for the year 2010 has just been completed on Friday afternoon in Japan Catholic Center in Tokyo. All together, 16 bishops and one administrator joined the assembly together with representatives from both male and female major superiors in Japan. Presently there are 16 dioceses in Japan and auxiliary bishops have been assigned to Tokyo and Osaka, one for each, so that there should be 18 bishops to join the assembly. However there are 2 sees vacant at this moment in Japan, Oita and Sapporo, and, therefore, one administrator joined the assembly from Oita. (I am the administrator of Sapporo)

Almost 90 % of the agenda had been proposed by the Liturgy Commission, especially on the translation of Mass text for which the Liturgy Commission has been working for quite sometime. We had to go through Latin text, present Japanese text and newly proposed translation text at the same time for entire Mass. In fact, it takes time and we have not finished yet. When we completed the discussion on the proposed text for this year's agenda, a secretary for the commission told us that he had 5 times more texts ready for us to discuss during next assembly. We just heard that the English translation has just completed and got the approval from the Holy See recently but I have no idea how many more years it may take to complete the Japanese translation.

On Wednesday evening, after the afternoon presentation given by Caritas Japan on foreign aid policy of the Catholic aid agency, we went to visit the Nunciature in Tokyo. Photo above is the chapel of the Nunciature which was renovated recently and the Nuncio is explaining us about the newly installed bronze door of the chapel. After this, Nuncio presented a congratulatory message of Holy Father to Bishop Misue of Hiroshima who has been celebrating his 25th anniversary as bishop this year. Then the meeting was completed with wonderful Italian dinner.

Well I finally managed to come back to my house in Niigata. I left Niigata last Friday to Sapporo where I had to give a talk on Saturday in Maruyama parish. Then after the talk, I flew from Sapporo to Akita to join the Akita district for Laity Rally on Sunday. Fr. Xavier Susai, SVD, a rector of the SVD seminary in Nagoya gave a talk on the Christian vocation and I said Mass in the afternoon. Indian born rector of the seminary attracted the laity of Akita district with his wonderful Japanese and several jokes. From there I flew to Tokyo on Monday to join the GA of CBCJ. Well, I have to fly again this evening to Sapporo while Japanese National Team is playing in South Africa against to Holland. There will be confirmation Mass in Sapporo tomorrow.

Priests' rally in Akita

2010-06-10T23:30:00.002+09:00

From 7 June to 9, Niigata diocesan priests' rally was held in Akita which was attended by 29 priests working in the diocese, including both diocesan and religious priests. At this moment, all together 38 priests are working in the diocese including 2 elder Fathers who have been on their retirement. Out of this 38, 17 are diocesan priests of Niigata, 2 are of Takamatsu, one from Tokyo diocese, 3 belongs to the Picpus Fathers, 5 belongs to the Franciscans and 10 are SVDs. This year, the diocese received 2 new priests from SVD, Fr.Hayon, a newly ordained, from Indonesia to Akita and Fr. Odilon from Korea to Tsuchizaki. We gathered together at Foresta Chokai Hotel in southern Akita. Hotel is located at the foot of Mount Chokai and surrounded by deep forest.

As we are approaching to the end of the Year of Priests, we chose the theme which is closely related to the daily pastoral realities of priests. Since Japanese bishops have been talking about the Human Life which is a gift of God, we decided to learn more about the life threatening issue in the area, the suicide issue. Since 1998, immediately after the current economic recession has started in Japan, more than 30,000 people began to commit suicide every year up till now in all over Japan. Number is increasing each year and Akita is well known in Japan as the area to record the highest rate of suicide almost every year. People commit suicide because of financial difficulties, family problem, personal relationship and many other causes but most of the cases have been connected to the depression. We invited professor Sasaki Hisanaga of Akita University who has been involving himself with the prevention effort of the local government. Professor Sasaki is a Catholic. We also invited Bishop Koda Kazuo of Tokyo who has been working on the topic as a bishop in charge of Caritas Japan. Church has to learn more about the issue to be ready to respond to the need of people who are in danger of committing suicide and also to learn more about how to console the grief of families and relatives of those who committed the suicide.

Laity rally in Nagaoka

2010-05-30T23:15:00.000+09:00

On this day of Holy Trinity Sunday, Nagaoka district's Laity Council organised annual rally in Omotemachi Parish in Nagaoka. Nagaoka district consists of parishes in Itoigawa, Naoetsu, Takada, Myoko, Kashiwazaki, Tokamachi, Omotemachi and Fukuzumi and the district has been entrusted to Franciscans. As for this years rally, the administratibe board of the Laity Council of the district chose "learn more about our Liturgy" as their theme and invited Fr. Shirahama, the liturgy professor of the Japan Catholic Seminary, for a talk. For the 34th gathering of the laity in the district, Fr. Shirahama gave almost 2 hours intensive talk on the spirit of Liturgy which is thanksgiving to almost 200 people including all the pastors of the district. Whenever we think about a study session on Liturgy, its all about regulations. But Fr. Shirahama's talk was enlightening to understand what is behind all these liturgy in our Church.

After lunch together, there was a photo session and a procession for Holy Mother, the Flores de Mayo. Filipino community is quite large in the district and majority of kids are of theirs. The gathering was really international. After the procession from the kindergarten where we had talks and lunch to the Parish, we started Mass at 2 pm. Readings and songs were prepared both in Japanese and English. To create a community which overcomes both age and nationality barrier or cultural difference is one of the priorities of this diocese and I should say that the Nagaoka district is trying very hard to create communities of many cultures. I hope they will continue their effort to build communities with one heart with many faces.

Pentecost in Tokamachi

2010-05-24T11:57:00.005+09:00

Yesterday was the Pentecost Sunday and it was quite a windy day in Niigata. Well, it would be good to feel the blowing wind on the Pentecost Sunday so that we may be able to imagine how the Holy Spirit blew on the day among disciples. I went to Tokamachi to celebrate the Pentecost Sunday Mass with the community of the Assumption Parish. During the Mass, 3 people received the sacrament of confirmation and 2 kids received their first communion. Since the parish priest of Nagaoka, Fr. Bruno, ofm, visits Tokamachi after he completes Mass in Nagaoka, Sunday Mass in Tokamachi begins at 3 pm. As for yesterday, people started to gather together around 2 pm for the Flores de Mayo procession. Yes, majority of the community in Tokamachi Catholic Church is from Philippines who are married to local Japanese. So yesterday before Mass, several original Japanese Catholics, Filipino mothers, number of their Japanese husbands and their kids made a procession after the statue of Mary. What a international community. All together around 40 people went around inside the Kindergarten since the windy and rainy weather did not permit us to go out.

After the Mass, we went to the Kindergartens hall for a party. There were a dance by a boy who had received his first communion, games and good food. Fr. Bruno suggested mothers to let little ladies wear Yukata dress instead of the traditional white costume for first communion, etc. What impressed me the most was 2 Filipino mothers who wore Japanese traditional Kimono and gave a Japanese dance performance. They have been in Japan for many years and managed to immerse themselves deep into Japanese culture.

I am sure that there must be a lot of problem they face in building a united community for the Tokamachi Church with different nationalities and back grounds. Especially, at this moment, Japanese Catholics are minority in Tokamachi. I would like to ask each one of the community to be compassionate to each other and also try to understand differences of each culture.

Confirmation in Takada

2010-05-17T20:49:00.007+09:00

Ascension day is celebrated on the seventh Sunday of Easter in Japan and, therefore, yesterday was the celebration. On that Sunday, 13 people received the sacrament of Confirmation in the Christ the King Parish in Takada. The parish priest, Fr. Mario Canducci, a Franciscan from Italy, always does his best to prepare candidates very well to receive the sacraments every year. Though he is over 75 and preparing for his golden jubilee of ordination this year, he is still energetic in his pastoral activities. I was happy to see several young faces among the 13 candidates yesterday. It will be quite difficult for young kids to continue to come to church after they enter high schools because of extra curriculum activities on Sundays. So Fr. Mario does his best to catch kids just before they are really involved in these activities to prepare for the confirmation. Though they will have difficulties to attend Sunday Masses, the memory of confirmation will remain in their heart, and one day, they may return to the community.

The Confirmation Mass was celebrated by myself, Fr. Mario, Fr. Takayabu, a resident priest and Fr. Ohtaki, the chancellor of the diocese. Fr. Ohtaki was originally baptized in Takada while he was a high school student and was visiting the area for the diocesan business. I hope more young people will follow good example of their senior brother of Takada, Fr. Ohtaki, and join the priesthood in near future. In this regard, I was happy to be with a young boy who performed his duty quite perfectly as a lone altar boy during the ceremony vested in his over sized cassock.

Congratulations for those 13 members who received the sacrament. I am also happy to see among them faces from several countries. God bless you all with his Holy Spirit.

Returned from Taiwan

2010-05-09T21:14:00.005+09:00

FABC BILA meeting has been finished on Thursday evening with a closing Mass in near by parish in Taoyuan. Mass was attended by both participants of the meeting and local Catholics of the parish who organised a welcome party for us after the Mass. As the time-table of our meeting was so tight, I could not go out from the building where we stayed since our arrival on Monday. So it was good for us to have a chance to be away from the meeting site and be with local people. Also it was good occasion to know the talent of our participants to entertain others. Especially we are all amazed and enjoyed dancing performance of Korean group led by a Sister who is a wonderful dancer.

During the meeting, besides a talk by Bishop Tagle, Sr. Choi Hae Young, RSCJ, a provincial superior of RSCJ sisters in Korea, gave a talk on the title, "Mary, Model of discipleship in the Church." Also the drafting committee worked so hard that we could manage to complete the meeting with a wonderful final statement. The main objectives of the meeting was: to encourage the Church to look Mary as a woman who lived through many of the trying situations that women experience today, and to encourage women to draw courage and inspiration from her, and to provide for the continuing process of awareness of women's role and hence provide a guide to do this program in the home diocese of the participants. In many countries in East Asia, though the majority of the Church community are women, still decisions are made by men.How to encourage women to be involved in the decision making process in Church community would be one of the crucial point we have to seriously look into, including in my diocese.

On Friday, finally released from sitting in a meeting room, we went out to Taipei city for a day tour. Photo above is taken at our first stop, the Museum of World Religions which is run by Buddhist monks. The museum provides information on several major religions in the world and also invite visitors to find the meaning of meditation. A Buddhist nun gave us an introduction talk and invited us to join the vegetarian lunch in the museum cafeteria. In fact, we were surprised to see so many varieties of vegetarian dishes. It seems the cafeteria is also popular among local people. Also we visited the Taiwan National Women's Center after the museum.

Thanks for those who organised the meeting and thanks for our host in Taiwan.

Still from Taiwan

2010-05-06T10:42:00.006+09:00

FABC meeting is still going on in Taiwan. Today is the final day and we are discussing on the final statement. Though we, East Asians, are quiet and polite to each other normally, we are having quite heated argument, or rather discussion on a draft of the statement. Theologians from India and Taiwan, of course women theologians, are guiding us through the discussion.

By the way, I forgot to mention about the BILA in yesterday's post. BILA stands for Bishops Institute for Lay Apostolate. Since FABC supposed to be a place of learning for bishops in Asia, several meetings are under the title of Bishops Institute so and so.

I just do not want to go into a simple stereotyping but I feel difference of atmosphere of this meeting from other Church meetings I have attended before. Maybe because this meeting is organised mainly by women. Besides several serious discussion sessions and lectures, there are time for prayer, meditation, singing and dancing. Prayer through dancing may not be employed by typical meeting organised mainly by men, right? Well, in any case, I am comfortable to be among these wonderful women in the meeting.

FABC BILA meeting in Taiwan

2010-05-05T22:04:00.002+09:00

I have been in Taiwan since Monday afternoon to attend a meeting on women in East Asia organized by the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences) office of Laity and Family. It will last till Friday and I will return to Japan on Saturday evening. Japanese delegation is composed of 4 members, a sister, 2 lay women from Tokyo and myself. All together, more than 60 participants are present including several observers from Taiwan. Since the meeting is meant for East Asia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Macao and Hongkong have been duly represented including 4 bishops. The meeting has been held in St.Theresa Activity Center in Taoyuan city near the Taipei International Airport. Bishop John Lee, the local ordinary of the area, is hosting the function since he is also a member of the FABC office of Laity and Family. The president of the office, Bishop Roland Tirona from Philippines is also among us. The theme of the meeting is "Mary, Truly a Women of our times".

Yesterday, bishop Chito Tagle (photo above) of Imus gave a talk on the theme. Since he is one of the most celebrated speaker of Theological topics in Asia at this moment, many people came to the center to listen to his talks. As a former member of the Pontifical Theological Commission, of which Cardinal Ratzinger was the chairman, he presented quite rich and deep understanding of role of Mary and insight for modern world.

Tomorrow, we will discuss about our final statement and will celebrate evening Mass in local Parish.

Fr. Mitsumori passed away

2010-04-30T11:58:00.002+09:00

Rev. Father Francis de Sales Taizo MITSUMORI, the very first Japanese diocesan priest of Niigata, passed away yesterday morning in Niigata at age of 92. A native of Akita, Fr.Mitsumori studied theology in Rome before the WW II and ordained a priest in 1944 in Rome. Because of the war, he could not return to Japan till 1946. As a pioneer Japanese diocesan priest, Fr.Mitsumori immediately became a strong helping hand for several apostolic prefects of Niigata and, from 1962, Bishop Ito who was appointed as the first bishop of newly established Niigata diocese. Fr. Mistumori was a parish priest of the Niigata Cathedral for many years. He retired from active ministry in 2003 at age of 85. I spent sometime with him since he was living in the house behind the bishop's residence for his retirement. We ate together and prayed togeher for sometime. He spent his last 2 years in a retirement house in Aoyama.

Wake keeping will be on 30 April at 7 pm in Niigata Cathedral. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on 1 May at 10 am in Niigata Cathedaral. Kindly remember Father Mitsumori in your prayer. R.I.P.

Confirmation in Kamo

2010-04-25T16:38:00.004+09:00

Today, on the Good Shepherd Sunday, I visited the Christ the Redeemer Parish in Kamo, Niigata for confirmation of 3 people. Since the parish priest, Fr. Tsutomu Sato has been in charge of 2 parishes, Kamo and Shirone, those who received the sacrament today were from both communities, 2 from Kamo and one from Shirone. The Catholic community in Kamo which is 44 years old this year has around 30 regular Sunday Mass attendance. Among them are several members from Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Good Shepherd is calling us to follow him. In the gospel today, Jesus said that " my sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me". His voice is telling us our mission in this life. In fact that is our vocation. We have to try to listen to his voice to discern what we have to pursue in our life.

After the Mass, all the members who attended today's Mass gathered together in a hall for a small party to congratulate those who had received the confirmation. Small community like Kamo has certain advantage to build a strong community. Since there are not so many members, each one of them could know each other very well. So the gathering after Mass today was just like a family gathering.

Confirmation in Kashiwazaki

2010-04-19T22:04:00.003+09:00

Yesterday, on the third Sunday of Easter, 13 people received the sacrament of Confirmation in St.Anthony of Padua Parish in Kashiwazaki, 130km south of Niigata. The parish priest, Fr. Leo Bassi, ofm, though he is already over 80 years old, is one of the most energetic and hard working missionaries in my diocese. As far as I remember, he prepares quite good number of candidates for the sacrament every year. Among these 13 members who received the confirmation yesterday, majority are kids in Junior High Schools, which means they are around 13 to 15 years old. Also among these kids, there are children of Japanese, Filipino and Sri Lankan mothers. Quite international, as usual in my diocese. Particularly for these kids in schools in Japan, attending Mass on Sundays require extra super efforts since school usually organises the Sunday extra curriculum activities such as sports games for their students. So I have to congratulate Fr. Bassi and his team of catechists for their effort to anchor these kids to the Church activities firmly.

For the homily of the confirmation Masses, I have been talking about the meaning of being a mature Catholic. In fact, it is quite difficult to define the actual picture of "maturity" of the person in Catholic faith. I guess there are 3 points to think about.

First and most, and this would be the foundation of our faith, attaining reality in our faith would be the crucial point. We do not believe in Jesus who is in our imagination, nor in a history legend. We do believe in Jesus who is alive. Presence of Jesus has to be real, not a fiction.

Then, based on that reality, we form our faith through the tradition of Catholic teachings. So we have to be acquainted with, say, Catholic Catechism and traditional practice of the Church. Then the third point would be the liturgy. Without celebrating our faith in our community through the liturgy, our faith would be dead. I hope and pray that those who received the sacrament yesterday are ready to be a mature Catholic who feels the real presence of Jesus, learn more about our faith and happy to celebrate the faith with their community in liturgy.

A-bombed statue of B.V.M. goes to NY in May

2010-04-14T17:33:00.006+09:00

The so-called "HIBAKU MARIA", a remain of a statue of the Immaculate Conception in former Cathedral of Nagasaki which was completely destroyed and burned by A-bomb on 9 August, 1945 is going to New York in May and will meet the Secretary General of UN, Mr. Ban Ki-moon on 3 May. The statue, now remains only as a burnt head, was found under the rubble of destroyed Cathedral by Fr.Noguchi of Hakodate Trappist who visited the site upon his return from the World War II in October, 1945. In 2005, a small chapel was erected next to the present Cathedral in Urakami, Nagasaki to commemorate 60th anniversary of bombing of Nagasaki to pray for world peace without any nuclear weapons. Archbishop of Nagasaki, Archbishop Joseph Takami, a survivor of the A-bomb, will bring the statue to meet Mr. Ban and others in New York. Prior to the trip to New York, Archbishop will make a pilgrimage with the statue to Guernica to pray for world peace. (Photo above; 3 archbishops of Japan. Archbishop Takami, far left.)

In February, Archibishop Takami and Bishop Misue of Hiroshima made an appeal to world leaders to seriously think about the nuclear weapon free world. (Link to the English version of the message by 2 bishops.) Bishops were prompted to issue the message since the NPT review conference will be held in May. Both Japan and Vatican officials in UN suggested the Archbishop to visit the UN after the trip to Guernica.

The TESTIGOS performed in Murakami

2010-04-12T10:31:00.007+09:00

A Catholic musical, I may say so with full confidence, the "TESTIGOS" has been performed in Murakami city, northern Niigata, on last Saturday afternoon for a general public. The musical was performed by a group from Nagoya called Xavier Angels Company led by an energetic Spanish young man who is a Catholic and a Japanese lady who is not a Catholic. The performance was organised by a local private school, Niigata University of Rehabilitation which was just established on 1st April this year as their commemorative activities for the beginning of the new school. The school is not a Catholic nor Christian school but the musical was 100% Catholic one and the faculty chose the performance knowing this is Christian performance. Yet, according to the president of the school corporation who is a psychiatrist, this performance represents what they have been after in their school formation; providing total relaxation to human body and soul.

The Xavier Angels Company was joined by a local dancing group and a choirs group. More than 600 people including a city mayor of Murakami came to witness this wonderful performance of 10 saints and great people of modern world. These 10 includes Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II and St. Maximilian Kolbe. I was so amazed to see non-Christian people enjoying the performance which was filled by quite Catholic ideas, even calling people to be a witness of God. The last song depicting Pope JPII again and again tell the audience "do not be afraid". We should not be afraid to be a real witness of God. We should not be timid messenger of God who are afraid to present the message of God directly. These performers were teaching us important attitude we should make our own.

The Xavier Angels Company will perform the TESTIGOS during the World Expos in Shanghai. God bless their activities.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T17:37:00.003+09:00

Dear brothers and sisters. Happy Easter !

I hope you also experienced wonderful and spiritually enriched Holy Week. Past few days, Niigata experienced miserable weather of cold winter and the news stories on TV of cheery blossom in elsewhere in Japan seemed like stories of another world. Yet, today, we had a wonderful, beautiful and warm spring day for the Easter celebration, though the cherry blossom is yet to arrive in Niigata.

For today's main Mass at 9:30 am in Niigata Cathedral, around 200 people joined the celebration. During the Mass, a baby girl was baptised. It is good to witness a baptism of new born baby during the Easter celebration. It gives us a real feeling of beginning of new life.

After the Mass, a party was held in a parish hall in which I sung several songs with piano and the parish priest, Fr.Ebe gave a performance of his favorite Japanese flute, Shakuhachi.

Holy Thursday in Niigata

2010-04-01T22:51:00.003+09:00

The Holy Triduum has began and today is the Holy Thursday, a day to commemorate the last supper and the institution of the Holy Communion by Lord Jesus himself. In Niigata diocese, the Chrism Mass has been celebrated on Tuesday and for Sapporo diocese, it was on Wednesday so that majority of priests working in both dioceses were able to join the celebration for them. Some of them had to travel more than 300 km to attend the Mass with their Bishop.

The Mass on Holy Thursday in Niigata was presided by myself at 7 pm today in Niigata Cathedral. Because of aging society in Japan, especially in Niigata city center, attendance of evening liturgy in Niigata has been decreasing for past few years. This evening, though the liturgy is quite important for our spiritual life since the Holy Communion is the center pillar of our Christian faith, we had around 100 faithful to join the liturgy.

After the homily, following the example of the Lord Jesus himself, we had a liturgy of washing feet. I could see that the parish priest had difficulty to find 12 men to be washed. By the way, I remember my days in a parish in Ghana, especially during special liturgy. I will not forget my first experience of the Holy Thursday in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Osonson, Krobo in 1988. When I approached Mr. Amerkudji, then the parish president, he suddenly said it loud that, "Lord do not wash my feet". I did not know how to reply. They were expecting me to enact the scene in the Gospel. What I remember was myself standing in front of my parishioners not knowing what to do next. Good old memory.

By the way in Niigata this evening, quite a number of people stayed in the crypt after the Mass to spend sometime in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The adoration continued till 10 pm.

There will be the Good Friday liturgy at 7 pm tomorrow and the Easter vigil on Saturday at 7 pm. Join us in Niigata Cathedral.

Ms.Knight visited SAN-YA area in Tokyo

2010-03-29T11:15:00.003+09:00

Ms. Lesley-Anne Knight, secretary general of Caritas Internationalis, visited SAN-YA area in Tokyo on Saturday, 27 March, in the afternoon. She was accompanied by Fr. Narui, SVD, the executive director of Caritas Japan, Mr. Tadokoro, the secretary general of CJ and myself. Geographically, the address of "SAN-YA" is not officially existing on a map but is well known area in Tokyo as a town for day laborers. There used to be a number of low-cost inns in the area. Because of prolonged recession, many of these workers lost their daily wages and forced to be homeless. Adding to the poor economic climate in Japan, many of them are now aging and in real need of assistance to survive. Therefore, instead of these low-cost inns, today's SAN-YA has quite a number of newly built old folks homes all over the area. They can not continue to live on a street to receive government subsidy since it requires one to have a real address. Many of these newly established houses by local private inn owners provide aged workers an address to receive the government subsidy and deduct a monthly rent which includes meal service from the money to sustain the business.

We visited the NPO called "SAN-YU-KAI" which means friendship society of San-ya, established in 1984. The NPO runs clinic which provides free medical care and a shelter house. They also conducts counseling service and free lunch. (Photo above: In front of the clinic)

Ms. Knight concluded her 10-day visit of Japan, organised by the foreign ministry of Japan, with visiting the Cathedral of Tokyo archdiocese and left for Rome on Sunday.

This is the Holy Week. There will be the Chrism Mass on Tuesday at 10 am in Niigata Cathedral and on Wednesday at 10:30 am in Sapporo Cathedral. Then Mass on Holy Thursday, the liturgy on Good Friday and the Vigil Mass on Easter (Saturday night) in Niigata Cathedral are all at 7 pm. Then the Easter morning Mass at 9:30 am in Niigata Cathedral. Join us for the celebration.

Bishop Jinushi celebrated his Golden jubilee

2010-03-24T09:02:00.002+09:00

On 22 March in Sapporo, Bishop Peter Jinushi, bishop-emeritus of Sapporo, has celebrated his Golden jubilee of priestly ordination. He was ordained a priest by late bishop Tomizawa on 20 March, 1960 together with Fr. Koyama of the Trappist monastery who celebrated the Golden jubilee with Bishop Jinushi. More than 200 people gathered in the Cathedral, Kita Ichijo and around 30 priests con celebrated the Mass presided by Bishop Jinushi with Fr.Koyama. The Papal Nuncio and I also joined the celebration. (Photo above) Bishop Jinushi requested us not to use the central chair of the Cathedral, which is the bishop's see of Sapporo, so that people feel the see is really vacant.

Also for the Sapporo, Mr. Jin-no, a diocesan seminarian of Sapporo, has been erected as an acolyte on Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral. If God so wishes, he may be ordained a deacon next year. Kindly remember him in your prayer.

Youth leaders' gathering in Akita

2010-03-21T09:21:00.003+09:00

Though the entire number of youth itself in the diocese has been decreasing, there are still several energetic young Catholics who want to organise themselves as one of lay action groups in the diocese. The Seitai Hoshikai Retreat House has been the venue for a 3-day gathering of 12 youth leaders from all over the diocese started yesterday afternoon under supervision of Fr.Kotaro Sakamoto, the associate pastor of Niigata Cathedral. Fortunately for the diocese, at this moment we have around 10 Catholic students in Niigata University, a state-run school, and others in several different tertiary institutions in Niigata. I hope and pray that the group, though a tiny minority they are, would produce good youth leaders for the diocesan activities and also promote good number of vocations for religious life. (Photo above: Some of the youth leaders with Fr. Sakamoto praying for safe drive before leaving Niigata Cathedral around 7 am on Saturday fro Akita)