Japan Catholic News
June 2007
OSAKA ARCHDIOCESE'S EICHI UNIVERSITY CHANGES NAME TO ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
Catholic Weekly, June 3, 2007
On May 27, the Osaka archdiocese-run Eichi University, in conjunction
with its newly-formed affiliation with the International Council of
Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas (ICUSTA), changed its name to
St. Thomas University.
ICUSTA is a worldwide network of Catholic universities spread across
five continents. The goal of the name change is to address the question, "How
can we hold onto our identity as a Catholic school?" according
to Father Takehiko Ota, president of the university.
"Just as we were considering ways to reaffirm unambiguously, both
internally and externally, the identity of this school as a Catholic
university, ICUSTA launched an investigation in Japan with the idea
of cultivating a well-grounded university as a faithful advocate of
Catholicism in this country. Our respective hopes coincided."
With St. Thomas University as part of the council, its students will
be able to attend courses at certain other affiliated universities
on five continents free of charge, for which the credits will be recognized.
Discussions are also underway for a system enabling students to acquire
multiple degrees across two universities.
Father Ota said, "Until now, we have had joint recognition of
credits with universities in Europe and America, but from now on, students
will be able to go to other affiliate institutions in South America
and Africa, to the sixteenth-century University of Santo Tomas in the
Philippines. It is our hope that they will have mutually enriching,
first-hand learning experiences in such places."
HEAD OF VATICAN GOVERNMENT VISITS HOKKAIDO NUNS
Catholic Weekly, May 27, 2007
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Former Vatican foreign minister and current
head of the Vatican city-state government, visited Japan May 9-16 in
order to join the 45th anniversary celebration of the Discalced Carmelites'
St. Theresa of Jesus Convent in Date, Hokkaido, on May 12. The archbishop
has supported the community since its early days in the village of
Tsukigata.
According to the abbess, when Lajolo was a young priest he sent a letter
to the nunciature (Vatican embassy) in Japan indicating his intent
to help the poorest convent in here. Following the practice of the
cloistered nuns, they spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Archbishop Ipolito Lotori, the ambassador at that time, knew
of the severe conditions of the Tsukigata convent, and he sent us Archbishop
Lajolo's aid. At that time the abbess was an Italian, and an exchange
began after writing a letter of thanks."
The archbishop has supported the convent for more than 30 years since
that time.
"He had been filling an important position, and up until now,
was unable to come, but last September he changed to new duties, so
we invited the archbishop to celebrate the 45th anniversary, moved
ahead five years [from the more usual 50th anniversary celebration],
while the founding sisters are still active. The founding was in November,
but we decided to do it in Hokkaido's beautiful May," said the
abbess.
A 76-year-old nun who has been in the community since its original
founding described conditions at that time.
"The diocese had land in Tsukigata so we came there. It was a
place with amazingly heavy snowfall even blowing through the second
floor. In the early days, we did a lot of snow removal, but 25 years
ago, after heavy snowfall in an awfully run-down building, we moved
to Date."
The letter exchange with the archbishop continued for many years.
"Receiving unexpected aid brought us great joy. And it continued
each year after that. While doing difficult work, he told us that he
really wanted our prayers, and we always continued praying in order
to respond in that spirit."
The nuns never expected to meet their benefactor.
"With a tough job, we never expected he would come. Because we
were celebrating our 45th anniversary, we asked for his prayers, and
he said that he'd love to come. I experienced the providence of God
in the joy of first being able to meet him. Now as an archbishop and
before when he first became a priest, he supported this small convent
by praying together with us.
Before visiting Hokkaido, Archbishop Lajolo gave a May 10 lecture at
the Jesuit-run Sophia University in Tokyo to some 150 people. In his
talk, "Concerning Vatican Diplomacy," he explained that since
the time of the Roman empire, the Vatican has played a role in governmental
diplomatic accomplishments. Now, for a Vatican that no longer deals
with governmental problems such as economics, military affairs, and
border disputes, the mission is to issue moral messages concerning
peace, freedom, fundamental human rights, culture, and immigration.
He expressed hope that the Vatican, together with Japan, can teach
and make common progress, especially concerning peace.
Catechumen Series
9. HOMELESS MAN FINDS CHRIST THROUGH CHRISTIANS' SERVICE
Catholic Weekly, May 27, 2007
A great number of people were baptized at Easter in churches all over
Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens preparing
for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ and their
hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity for
every member of the community to take another look at his or her faith.
Teruo Hino, 56, was baptized April 7 during the Easter Vigil at Uigahama
Church in Kamakura.
"Even if someone were to say to me, 'Trample on the image of Christ
[renounce the faith],' I would absolutely never do it. Even by mistake,
I cannot say anything bad about Jesus."
One day, Hino, who was homeless, had an encounter that changed his
life. A man he met through his companions in homelessness said to him, "You
probably haven't eaten anything in three days."
The man took the starving Hino to a restaurant in front of Kamakura
Station and gave him a feast. Again after that, the man celebrated
Hino's birthday.
"That man was Takaoki Fusejima of Yukinoshita Church who is concerned
about the homeless and serves them," said Hino. "Deeply impressed,
I thought, 'Christianity goes this far for people!' and so I went to
Mass at Yukinoshita Church."
At the first Mass he attended, Hino was surprised to hear the words, "Creator
of heaven and earth."
Hearing that "there is One who created grasses and trees, stones,
human bodies, the whole universe," Hino was so excited that could
not sleep that night.
From then on, he began to attend church daily. In order to give a donation
at, he took care to have a hundred yen coin in his pocket and determined
that no matter what, "I won't use that hundred yen," even
if it meant giving up a bath or cigarettes.
In the course of time, he was introduced to Yokohama diocesan Father
Michitaka Yamaguchi of Uigahama Church in his neighborhood. Hino began
to attend Mass there.
Born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa prefecture, Hino was in trouble with bad
companions from his junior high school days. The first year of junior
high school he was feared as the leader of a band of juvenile delinquents.
In the summer of his second year, he fled his hometown for Tokyo. After
that, he wandered about from job to job, doing welding or plumbing
etc. for 15 years.
During the good times, he lived in a flamboyant style and caused a
lot of trouble to his family. Disinherited by his parents, his relationship
with his brothers and sisters was also broken off. He was married,
but it did not go well.
"I was touchy, hot-tempered, I didn't think of the consequences,
but acted according to my own feelings. I often quarreled," he
explained.
After his wife divorced him, he worked part-time for a Kawasaki company,
but two years ago at compulsory retirement, his body was a wreck. Becoming
homeless, he faced his first winter on the street.
"One cold winter night, when I was lying on a bench in front of
Kamakura City Hall, Taka (Fr. Yamaguchi's nickname) came to see
how I was. I was very happy. I had more affection for him than for
a friend. From my point of view, Fr. Taka or Mr. Fusejima looked like
the Savior."
Whenever Hino went to Uigahama Church, he used the skill he once had
as a cook, making meals for everyone after Mass or joining parishioner
in making marmalade, and so he fit in with the parishioners.
Recently, Hino's demeanor and character have changed so much that no
one would believe his tales of how bad he was long ago. He began part-time
work at a restaurant, attends Mass without missing a day, and when
he has time, he reads the Bible.
"Frankly speaking with believers about the Bible while eating
is enjoyable. After Mass, we all enjoy going to see the flowers together
just like children. The parishioners are my sisters and brothers, a
presence like a family," he said.
During his catechumenate, the parishioners took the initiative and
prepared Hino for baptism, where Fusejima served as his sponsor.
"Even for a person who had fallen into the depths like me, there
really are people who do this much good. I am tasting a peace and warmth
that I never before felt. The Lord Jesus is the guide, the living way,
the God of salvation. The reason I want to be baptized is to walk the
correct path from now on," Hino said before his baptism.
There were times when Hino, like the widow in the gospel story, contributed
at Mass by giving all the money he had to live on. "It's miraculous.
Even then I have not been left at a loss for money," he marveled.
Hino, added that like a new-born baby, he spends each day tasting the
teaching of Jesus Christ.
VETERAN EDUCATOR CALLS FOR 'CATHOLIC MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'
Catholic Weekly, May 20, 2007
 Marianist Father Masahiro Tomiki, 74, who served as secretary of the
Japan Catholic School Federation for a total of more than nine years
since 1991, departed for Korea at the beginning of May. For many years
he taught in schools run by the Marianist order and observed the changes
taking place in Catholic education in Japan. In an interview with the
Catholic Weekly, he talked about his views on the future of Catholic
schools in this country.
Thirty years ago there were plenty of students going to Catholic schools,
the schools were financially stable, had an adequate number of priests
and religious teaching and Catholic education was thought to be in
an "ideal state." But during the past 20 years, due to
aging and declining numbers, priests and religious have been withdrawing
from educational establishments, and today there are Catholic schools
without any priests or religious on the teaching staff.
Commenting on the situation, Fr. Tomiki said, "In the past people
often talked about 'our congregation's school.' But since there is
also a decrease in the number of children, some doubt has been cast
on the continuance of Catholic schools, and as religious congregations
are no longer able to run schools on their own, it is necessary to
go beyond the framework of religious congregations and start thinking
of 'our Catholic Church's school.' This is what a Catholic school really
should be."
Not all Catholic schools are the same. There are schools that have
a reputation as places whose students advance to higher education,
schools with a good curriculum that are able to fill all their places
without difficulty. In regions with superior public schools there are
Catholic schools that actively accept students who drop out of these,
even though they may be struggling to keep up their academic levels.
And there are Catholic schools that present themselves as merely another "private
school."
"It may not be possible, but I think that all the Catholic schools
in Japan should be united under one board of trustees, and then they
could operate with a common understanding of Catholic education," said
Fr. Tomiki.
For example, where there are six or seven Catholic schools in one small
area, they end up competing with each other to attract students.
"At least in each prefecture and metropolitan region the Catholic
schools should form one corporate body, and ideally each school should
have a special character, for example helping students advance to higher
lever education, or a school for students who cannot settle in to other
schools, teaching students work skills, and so on. Then there could
be national seminars through which each regional group would share
their characteristics with the others."
Fr. Tomiki went on to talk about what he saw as necessary to realize
this.
"A kind of 'Catholic Ministry of Education' is needed to put out
directives on the management of schools and the contents of Catholic
education."
"At present there is the Catholic School Federation and the Gakko
Rengokai, but when a school is threatened with closure, for example,
these two bodies do not have the authority to interfere. But if there
were a Catholic Ministry of Education with such authority, they could
oppose the closure saying 'there is no other Catholic school in that
region, so this school should continue,' and offering practical advice
to the parties concerned."
Catholic education aims at developing the whole human being as a person
who loves God and others. This education is put into practice in Catholic
schools. One of the conditions of the Catholic Ministry of Education
proposed by Fr. Tomiki is that it would have a director and other full
time staff.
Along with giving direction to Catholic schools, among its functions
would be to offer advice to public schools and society at large on
matters like "what is needed in Japanese society today." To
ensure that there were enough staff for Catholic schools it would advertise
nationally for such people and become involved in the sharing of personnel
and resources among schools so that each school would no longer need
to search for these by itself; it would also open a school for students
who drop out and are no longer able to keep up with studies in regular
schools, and so on.
"Catholic schools are now at a turning point. This time of uncertainty
is also an opportunity to take steps towards something new. To overcome
the difficulties we must review the present situation, return to the
fundamentals of Catholic education, and cooperating with Protestant
and public schools, we can all go forward towards a richer age. The
problem is whether or not the Catholic Church in Japan feels the need
for a Catholic education system, and whether or not they have the energy
to grapple with this problem," the priest concluded.
PARISH OF ONLY 30 HOUSEHOLDS BUILDS NEW CHURCH
Catholic Weekly, May 20, 2007
 Though the congregation numbers only 30 households, with only about
20 people attending weekly Mass, the parishioners of Kameda Church
in the Niigata diocese have constructed a new church building. A little
debt remains, but basically the construction costs have been entirely
paid out of their own pockets.
"Grace upon grace abounded and we did it!" said the pastor,
Niigata diocesan priest Father Yasukazu Yamagashira, 58.
In a letter to the construction company that erected the new church,
Fr. Yamagashira wrote, "Your company has built a church with interior
decorations and exterior finishing splendid beyond our expectations
yet within the budget limit of 60 million yen."
The president of Shinbata Construction Company Akinori Watanabe, 42,
a parishioner of the Shinbata Church, was surprised to receive such
a testimonial.
"This is the first time we've received such a letter of gratitude," he
said at the April 22 dedication of the new church with its high ceiling
and floor heating.
Nagako Baba, 72, a parishioner since right after the parish's founding
in 1960, said, "Saving up all along made it possible. People who
give give, it was like that. From the early days, [the late] Fr. [Keisho]
Yamada kept saying, 'People who have received much from God, should
offer up much.'"
Her husband Yukio, 74, presently president of the parish council, worked
hard for the sake of the construction.
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sister Tomiko Ohashi, who has worked
at the Kameda Church for a long time, said the parish is "very
much like a family," but added that such a tiny church has difficulties.
"After Fr. Yamada became ill and died, everyone was resigned to
becoming just a church served by itinerant priests,"she said.
As an example, she added that the old church had termite damage and
was patched up with repair after repair.
"Everyone gave up. 'If something breaks down, it cannot
be helped,' we thought."
However, in 2005 when Fr. Yamagashira was appointed pastor, "The
parish resurrected. The parishioners became happy," Sister Ohashi
said.
In the meanwhile, building funds were slowly accumulating. According
to Fr. Yamagashira, when construction began in the Spring of 2005 the
church savings were 40,000,000 yen, of which 10,000,000 yen was a legacy
of Fr. Yamada's will. The rest came from church members over
the course of 10 years.
"Each year about 500,000 yen was saved from church expenses, the
rest was special donations," said Fr. Yamagashira, pointing out
that each year 2,500,000 yen was donated for the construction.
"The special donations were for the most part spontaneous. There
were no appeals or consultations. We also do not know who gave how
much," said the former parish council president Shuhei Amada,
57. He added that when construction was decided upon, the church itself
changed.
"We became extremely united. That the church was built is a source
of joy but that everyone thought about everyone else is even brighter," he
said.
Fr. Yamagashira said, "Even a church in Japan, if it decides 'let's
do it' can do it. The will to do it is important. Usually, with the
priest leading, we collect money, but when I was in the Philippines
for 18 years, there was not even a cent. There was debt, of course." He
added, "The presence of leaders among the faithful has been key."
Perhaps because of the new church, enrollment in the parish kindergarten
has increased by 50 percent inthe past two years.
"Formerly, we called it 'a church attached to a kindergarten,'" quipped
the pastor.
An anonymously contributed bell has been ordered from Nagasaki and
will soon be hung in a tower above the altar.
NAGASAKI PILGRIMAGE MARKS CENTENARY OF JAPANESE EMIGRATION TO BRAZIL
Catholic Weekly, May 13, 2007
 Next year will mark 100 years since the first ship bearing Japanese
emigrants to Brazil left Kobe. Japanese-Brazilians living in Japan
made a pilgrimage to Nagasaki April 29-30 to mark the first of several
events planned to mark the anniversary. Over 400 people from seven
dioceses (Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, Saitama, Tokyo and Yokohama)
participated.
The Catholic Commission of Japan for Migrants, Refugees and People
on the Move and the Commission for Brazilian Pastoral Agents organized
the pilgimage with the intention for of giving Japanese-Brazilians
and other Central and South Americans of Japanese ancestry a chance
to know Japanese Church history.
On the first day, the pilgrims gathered at Peace Park in Nagasaki,
where a statue of Our Lady of Aparecida (the Black Madonna widely venerated
in Brazil) was placed high in view, and everyone sang a prayer in Portuguese
with instrumental performances lead by a priest.
The group also visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, the Dr. Takashi
Nagai Memorial and Nagasaki archdiocesan chancery on the first day.
On the second day visits included the 26 Martyrs Memorial and Nishizaka
Museum. Bishops celebrated Mass for the pilgrim on both days.
The first day's Mass was celebrated by Bishop Daiji Tani of Saitama
at Urakami Cathedral. He encouraged the congregation, saying that immigrants
bring peace to the place to which they immigrate.
On the second day during Mass at the Oura Church, Archbishop Mitsuaki
Takami of Nagasaki explained Japanese Christian history and pointed
out the importance of becoming witnesses through a lifestyle of supporting
each other as martyrs did in the past.
Many people who participated in the event were happy to learn about
the martyrs of Japan.
"I'm grateful that they can now be part of our prayer to Jesus," said
Tsugutomo Hasegawa, 29, a parishioner of the Fujieda Church in Shizuoka.
Takeo Takara, 49, who came from Hiroshima for the pilgrimage, said, "My
faith deepened."
The fact that many Brazilians in Japan are laborers was emphasized
by Alzira Miyashiro, 60, who said, "I know many people who could
not attend the event because of their work. I am also back to work
after this."
Carmelite Sisters of Charity Sister Mitsue Shirahama said that there
were twice as many participants as expected, and organizers had to
rush to arrange hotel reservations and meals.
When some participants arrived later than the scheduled time, they
were offered lunch by Oura Church. One said, "We are thankful
and happy. Receiving such a warm welcome is another good experience
within the pilgrimage."
TEACHERS, DIRECTORS, BISHOPS DISCUSS CATHOLIC EDUCATION AS TEACHING
ORDERS LEAVE SCHOOLS
Catholic Weekly, May 13, 2007
 Due to the increasing number of aged Religious teachers and the decreasing
number of school-age children, Catholic schools are falling into a
crisis of abandonment by the Religious congregations and orders that
founded them.
To discuss this problem some 200 participants from all over the country
gathered under the aegis of the Catholic Bishop's Conference
of Japan's Education Committee headed by Archbishop Jun Ikenaga. The "20th
Assembly of Principals, Directors, and Bishops" was held April
29-30 in Tokyo. The theme of the gathering was, "What we can do
in the midst of the current entangled educational crisis?"
The last year saw the schools completely forsaken by orders increasing
in number. Of over 100 principals who participated in the assembly,
nearly half were lay Catholics or non-Catholics while 20 percent of
the directors were people from outside the Church.
Some complained of problems caused by the abrupt withdrawal of the
orders with neither prior consultation nor follow-up. Sometimes, schools
have been saddled with huge debts ranging in the hundreds of millions
of yen or more.
Three panelists, all of them lay Catholics, addressed the gathering.
Hiroshi Takahashi, principal of St. Paul High School in Tokyo, talked
about the impact of changes upon himself.
"I was surprised when urged to become a director. Teaching staff
at that time was all non-Catholic except one. Their knowledge of the
Catholic idea of education was limited. Our school was recognized as
Catholic by the public only because of ornaments such as crosses and
statues of Mary."
The successor to the religious who had run the school before was a
commercial business. The school is now coeducational and open to students
who have been refused entrance at other schools or who have social
problems. It offers communication courses, too. These changes have
helped the school's reputation grow, said Takahashi. His efforts
to get a Catholic spirit to penetrate into every aspect of the school's
operation has borne fruit and led to his becoming principal three years
ago.
Takahashi continued, "Now we have four Catholic teachers. We can
hold on to the Catholic ideal of respect for the individual. We are
hoping to develop a new model of the Catholic school, a Catholic school
run by lay Catholics. However, as the current management is an economic
corporation we are inevitably involved in the web of business concerns.
Therefore, it is important for all responsible for a school transfer
to seriously consider how to accomplish the transition, particularly
in the case where no Church organization will offer help."
Some new types Catholic schools are appearing in various parts of the
county. They tend to adopt an open-to-the-public policy, not serving
only religious purposes, and try to fill the needs and demands of their
local society. It is a hard job, as they have to do this while clearing
off inherited long-term debts. In many cases individual lay Catholics
or non-Catholics are forced to assume the responsibility to continue
the school as director or principal. This means the Catholic education
is now being placed in the hands of individuals.
The imminent tasks are to set forth rules concerning how to transfer
school management from a religious order to a succeeding organization
or individual(s) and to work out a philosophy of Catholic education
that can live through generations to come.
The current status of Catholic schools can be classified in three types:
those in which the founding order has backed out; those from which
the order is seeking some way to withdraw; and those where the Religious
congregation is able to continue its work. Common to all three is the
requirement to nourish mutual assistance and strengthen the tie with
the Church.
The Kyoto diocese plans to organize a series of training courses in
Aug. 2007 for non-Catholic teachers who have been working in Catholic
schools 10 years. Kyoto Bishop Yoshinao Otsuka plans to present the
lectures. One of the organizers, Takaya Anami, principal of St. Viator
Rakusei Junior and Senior High school, explained the background.
"There are 11 Catholic elementary, junior and senior high schools
in the Kyoto Diocese. Teaching staff, though working in Catholic schools,
lack contact with the bishop. In the August meeting we are going to
arrange a session for them to hear him. We will also provide them with
a personal interview with him. With these opportunities we are hoping
not only to deepen understanding about the relationship between the
Church and the school, but also to help develop team spirit among the
schools."
Another example of cooperative work is seen between different orders
and schools. Jesuit-run Taisei Junior and Senior High School in Fukuoka
and Hyuga Gakuin Junior and Senior High School in Miyazaki run by the
Salesians of Don Bosco Japan signed a sister school arrangement in
2005, crossing over the border of two independent religious orders.
Now, if a student from Fukuoka were to move to Miyazaki, he can transfer
to the sister school. It used to be that the only choice for such students
was a public school.
One of the panelists, Toshihiko Fukuzuka, principal of Shizuoka Salesian
Junior and Senior High School, discussed the "Salesian Cooperatives,
Shizuoka Branch." Members are active Catholic teachers and alumni
who aim to help and support activities of both the Church and the order
in the long term.
The third panelist, Makoto Matsuo, vice-principal of Osaka Shinai Jogakuin
Junior and Senior High School, presented his experiences of the last
11 years. He focused upon the spiritual formation of young people,
maintaining the original philosophy of the school's founder 123 years
ago. He said that the program is directed toward confirming and affirming
each student's unique spirit, and educating girls to go forward step
by step cultivating and developing their abilities, rather than focusing
solely on examination scores.
Two keynote speeches were part of the assembly program. One was by
Bishop Kazuhiro Mori and the other by Professor Makoto Iokibe, president
of the National Defense Academy of Japan. The topics covered were respectively
the revision of the Fundamental Law of Education and that of the Constitution.
Participants were given ideas of how to respond to these contentious
social issues.
RELIGIOUS PEACE MOVEMENT CALLS FOR REJECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Catholic Weekly, May 20, 2007
 On May 7, 150 people of various religions, including Buddhism and Christianity,
called to assembly by the Religious Peoples' Article 9 Network with
the wish "to make Article 9 of the constitution shine," requested
that the Diet reject a national referendum act establishing a procedure
for constitutional reform. Prayers were offered up in the respective
ways of each faith.
The meeting began with a greeting from Yusei Muranaka, former Taisho
University president and chief priest of Tendai Jisho Temple, and continued
with prayers from representatives of Buddhism, Christianity and other
religions appealing for peace.
Representing the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Deacon
Seiryu Nagasawa of Saitama diocese introduced a "Solidarity message
from Pax Christi USA on Japan's Constitution Day" sent by the
national Catholic peace movement Pax Christi USA.
In conclusion, conference leaders read aloud an emergency appeal requesting
the rejection of the national referendum act, and, together with a
written request to Prime Minister Abe pleading for the neutrality of
constitutional compliance and National Diet deliberation, hand-delivered
the appeal to the responsible parties at the Cabinet Office.
On May 14, a national referendum act was adopted in a House of Councillors
plenary session, as approved and arranged by Liberal Democratic Party
and New Komeito majority support. This law's enforcement will be decided
in 2010, three years from its enactment. Beginning with the next term
of the National Diet, both Houses of the Diet will institute constitutional
examination meetings, and a National Diet debate concerning constitutional
reform is expected to begin.
POPE BENEDICT XVI APPROVED
THE BEATIFICATION OF PETER KIBE AND 187
OTHER JAPANESE MARTYRS OF THE 17TH CENTURY
PRESS RELEASE June 1 2007
--World-wide recognition of the singular virtue
of Japanese of 400 years ago--
The date and place of the beatification ceremony is still
to be determined
Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree approving the beatification of Peter
Kibe and 187 other martyrs on 1st June, something which the Catholic Bishops'
Conference of Japan (CBCJ, President: Jun'ichi Nomura, bishop of Nagoya,
Head Offece: Shiomi 2-10-10, Koto-ku, Tokyo) has long been requesting the
Pope to do. The date when the beatification will be publicly proclaimed
and celebrated will be determined after consultation between the Catholic
Bishops' Conference of Japan and the Holy Office in Rome.
From earliest times it has been the custom of the Roman Catholic Church
to single out outstanding Catholics who have believed and lived to an extraordinary
degree the teachings of Jesus Christ and to declare them "Saint" or "Blessed." These
are then held up for imitation to other Christians as models of exemplary
Christian life. Those named "saints" are commemorated throughout
the universal Church, whereas those named "blessed" are commemorated
only in that part of the Church with which they were associated. Many,
if not most, "Blesseds" go on to become "Saints," by
the rite of canonization.
The 188 martys whose beatification has been determined were all persecuted
for their Christian faith under the harsh repressive policies of
the Tokugawa bakufu between 1603 and 1639. They are all Japanese,
hailing from all parts of Japan. They include lay people, both male
and female, adults and children; they include also members of religious
orders and priests. Peter Kibe, whose name heads the list, was born
in 1587 in Bungo (which is now Oita Prefecture) and was martyred in Edo
(now Tokyo) in 1639. Determined to become a priest and come to the aid
of his fellow Japans suffering under the severe persecution, he showed
dauntless courage in walking across a continent (from India to Rome) to
get himself ordained a priest in Rome, and then in hurrying back to Japan
to help his people. Julian Nakaura (born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1568
and martyred in Nagasaki City in 1639) is famous as one of the four youths
who were sent on the first Japanese legation to Europe (1582 to 1590),
thus becoming one of Japan's first bridge-builders to the Western world.
Five of the 188 were priests and/or members of religious orders. The remaining
183 were samara; townspeople; housewives; men and women, young and old;
people engaged in evangelization; whole families meeting death together;
men servants handmaids, nameless people of the lower classes; some nearly
blind and otherwise physically incapacitated. They represent a wide variety
of people, living all different kinds of lives.
The 188 martyrs were not political activists fighting for their basic
human rights, crying out against a regime that denied them freedom of religion.
They were people of deep and genuine faith who staked their lives on what
they believed. They give all of us much to ponder.
MOTHER'S FAITH HELPED HER COPE WITH SON'S DEADLY DISEASE
Catholic Weekly, April 29, 2007
Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare disease caused by a genetic defect.
Those who have the disease are highly sensitive to sunlight, have premature
skin aging and are prone to skin cancers. It is progressive, causing
severe damage to the skin and to nerves in the brain. At present there
is no cure. It is estimated that there are about 500 Japanese afflicted
with this disease.
Thanks to the efforts of the Association for Xeroderma Pigmentosum
Patients and their supporters, on March 12 this disease was designated
as one of the diseases that will be eligible for research by the Research
Project to Conquer Intractable Diseases.
Eiko Kawamata, 56, of the Toyoshiki Parish in Chiba prefecture is one
of those who worked to secure this designation. She and her husband
Toru had a son, Hiroto, who suffered from XP.
Kawamata described the disease.
"Cancer develops when the skin is exposed to sun. The same is
true of the eyes. Patients must wear special sunglasses. The home must
have special film curtains. We had to work very hard to convince the
makers of this film to manufacture curtains for this purpose. We also
had to put this special film on the windows in the classroom at school."
Hiroto was diagnosed with the disease when he was just one year old.
"When we were told of this diagnosis, we couldn't understand this
disease at all. We couldn't understand what the future would be like,
raising a child, our first child, afflicted with this disease. On that
day we cried, overwhelmed with the question 'What are we going to do?'
As the disease progressed over the course of 20 years, little by little
we ran out of tears to shed."
At that time the local priest was a great support for the family.
"We got to know [the late] Fr. Matsumoto who was at Yurigaoka
parish at that time. He helped us to understand. He told us, 'When
God sent your son to you, he was choosing you to raise him.'"
When Hiroto was ready for elementary school, the Kawamatas moved to
Toyonaka near Osaka because the school there had a policy of accepting
children with disabilities into their regular classes.
"Every day our home was the playground where our son's friends
played until evening," said his mother.
Little by little the disease progressed.
"Our son became unable to walk and then became unable to swallow.
This changed the way we lived and changed the list of things that were
necessary for our daily life. Vehicles, respirators, wheelchairs became
a necessary part of our life."
As Hiroto's muscles weakened, his hands and feet began to bend inwards
and he had to have surgery to straighten them. "His hearing deteriorated
and he began to speak less and less. I still recall when he was a first
grader saying in his tiny childish voice, 'Papa went work.'"
During the latter part of his third year in middle school, Hiroto was
hospitalized frequently. The family moved to Takurazuka in Hyogo prefecture,
where they found a barrier-free house.
Hiroto attended a high school for handicapped children in Takurazuka.
His parents had negotiated again and again with the local authorities
for a number of years before he graduated from high school, asking
them to secure a budget that would enable him to go on for further
education.
"The city, the teachers and the parents in the district really
put themselves out for us."
After his graduation from high school in 1994 the city began day-care
service for Hiroto.
Eight months later, Hiroto, who was born in November, died just two
weeks after turning 19. His parents were with him at home when he died.
"We felt as if we had died with him. We had taken turns staying
with him, changing places every 90 minutes. We sat in an uncomfortable
chair to keep from falling asleep," said Kawamata.
After Hiroto turned 18 there were seven times that he stopped breathing.
Each time he was resuscitated through artificial respiration and heart
massage.
"Both Hiroto and God were merciful, waiting until the eighth time
before our son had to leave us. He left us while I was resting and
my husband was awake. We were both very sleepy. Now when I think of
my son, I think of him being together with Fr. Matsumoto and God, keeping
busy helping them."
The funeral was held at Nigawa Church in Hyogo prefecture where Hiroto
had been baptized. Some 800 people attended. The undertaker was a Catholic
and Kawamata said that helped make it a true Catholic funeral.
"It was a great blessing for us to have the funeral carried out
with a true Catholic spirit. Hiroto's classmates from elementary and
middle school carried the casket. That funeral was truly a present
from God."
After Hiroto died, his mother felt a need to get away from the environment
where her son had suffered so much. Near the end of 1998 her husband
was transferred to Tokyo.
The following spring, at the request of patients suffering from the
same disease, they joined a group whose purpose was to make the government
and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry aware of the disease. At
the time there were three associations of parents of children with
XP in Japan: one each in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe.
The three groups joined to form a single group. In October of 2004
they held a large symposium and established a national organization.
They appealed to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to designate
the disease as an "Intractable Disease" and appealed to corporations
to give financial help to XP patients.
By December of last year they were able to present the ministry with
a petition signed by 611,000 persons asking that the disease be designated
as an Intractable Disease. When requesting people to sign the petition,
they always said, "We want to do something about the disease that
killed Hiroto."
On March 12 of this year, at an unprecedented speed, XP was designated
as one of the diseases to be targeted by the Research Institute to
Conquer Intractable Diseases. This is the necessary first stage before
the disease can be designated as a Specific Intractable Disease.
"The designation of the disease as a Specific Intractable Disease
won't necessarily provide help to raise the patients' quality of life,
but it will provide research funds for doctors who want to study the
disease. Knowing that the disease is being studied gives us a basis
for hope."
Mrs. Kawamata, who was baptized when she was in her second year of
junior high school, said, "At the time Hiroto was baptized I felt
a tremendous sense of thanks that I had been baptized. At the moment
I learned of his disease, I felt that if I hadn't become a Catholic,
I wouldn't have been able to accept the news in the way I did."
She talks about the blessing that God bestowed on her by sending Hiroto
to her. Then she adds, "However, for my son it was a difficult
life full of pain and suffering."
When people learned of Hiroto's death, they could not understand why
she had not collapsed in tears.
"Hiroto's influence on the people around him was tens of times
greater than that of my husband and me. It was tremendous. Hiroto's
friends call us even now. One told me, 'I learned that being together
with people with disabilities was normal. Extending my hand to them
was natural. But once I got into the world, I realized how different
the attitudes were there.'"
Kawamata said that now that efforts to secure research funding for
XP seem to have succeeded, it is time to draw back from her activities.
"Now I am asking myself, 'Can we take a little break from the
campaign now?' Now that we have reached our goal, it's time to slow
our pace. After putting out all our strength swimming through the water
for so long, it's time to find a small island and take a little break."
RELIGIOUS, PRIEST AND YOUTH COMMENT ON RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS
Catholic Weekly, April 29, 2007
In connection with the April 29 celebration of the World Day of Prayer
for Vocations, the Catholic Weekly interviewed religious about their
vocations and also solicited comments from young Catholics about their
thoughts about vocation.
Sister Yasuyo Horiike
Salesian Sister Yasuyo Horiike, 78, said she "wanted to become a nun
since I was in fifth and sixth year in primary school." She admired
the Sisters who appeared in stories she read, but the first sister
she ever actually met was at a Shinto high school.
In June 1945, towards the end of the Second World War, Sr. Horiike's
home town, Shizuoka, was bombed. Jonai High School (now the Salesian High
School) and the Shizuoka Church were destroyed. The high school which Sr.
Horiike was attending offered the first floor of its school building for
use by Jonai High School. After the school's morning prayers, Catholic
prayers were said.
Two nuns who were teaching at Jonai began to reside in the school.
When young Horrike said that she wished to study religion, they began to
teach her the Catholic catechism. During the war years she wondered what
it meant to be a human being, and what life was about.
"I think that in meeting these sisters at that time my longings came
to fruition,"she said.
On graduating from school at the age of 20, and without gaining her
parent's permission, she went with the nuns to a convent in Tokyo.
She joined the order the day she received Baptism. Her parents, worried
when she did not return home, came to visit her and said, "you have made
up your mind, so keep following this path." As time passed they said
that they believed more and more she had chosen "the safest path."
Sr. Horiike served as superior in convents in Tokyo, Shizuoka and
Nagasaki for 22 years. Now she lives in a convent in Nagasaki and
is in charge of teaching doctrine at the local church's Sunday
school.
She continues to pray for young people because, she said, "the reason
many crimes are committed by young people is that they have a low opinion
of themselves."
Father Lee Jung Yoon
"To be seen living a happy and fulfilled life -- this is
the most important factor in attracting people to religious life.
If a priest has an unhappy look, people will not think that priestly
life is happy," said
Father Lee Jung Yoon, 33.
Fr. Lee was sent to Yokohama diocese three years ago from the Inchon
Diocese in Korea and works as an assistant at Yamate Church. As child,
watching priests celebrating Mass, he thought they "were cool," and
when he received his first Communion as a fifth grader he prayed
that he would become a priest.
Fr. Lee said that in Korea during the 1980's, the person people trusted
most was a Catholic priest. The sight of priests -- who did not have
a family -- risking their lives to take part in democracy demonstrations
made a deep impression on people.
Seven years have passed since Fr. Lee was ordained, and he is always
bright and happy as he tries to show people the joy and fulfillment he
experiences in the priesthood, and warmly greets people who visit the church.
In Korea, when a man wishes to become a priest, the first obstacle
that he must overcome is often his family. There are many eldest sons and
only children among seminarians there, and parents sometimes try to interrupt
their seminary entrance ceremonies or disinherit the sons who go for the
priesthood. In such instances neighboring priests try and make parents
understand their son's decision.
The second obstacle is the self-denial demanded by seminary life.
When compulsory military service is included, it takes ten years to become
a priest. The curriculum is strict and seminarians are not allowed outside
during their first year. They must keep silence from eight o'clock each
evening until eight the following morning, and their days are a continuous
cycle of prayer and study. How a man overcomes his worldly desires is considered
a major issue.
"The greatest support for seminarians and priests is the people's
prayers," said Fr. Lee. "The Korean Church was built up by the
people, and they know how important priests are. They wish to foster native
vocations, and they help and support priests and seminarians. I am very
proud that my mother, first of all, and all the Catholics there are praying
for me."
Brother Kei Nishiyama
Jesuit Brother Kei Nishiyama, 38, said that he has been supported
by many people in following his vocation.
"The help and encouragement of my confreres and seniors in the Society
of Jesus, and the elderly men at Loyola House is very great," he said.
There are also Sisters and other Catholics praying for him.
"It's because I am supported by these people's prayers that I suppose
I have continued here."
Loyola House is a residence in western Tokyo for retired Jesuit priests
and Brothers. Until last year, Bro. Nishiyama was the house superior, and
he now works as a secretary in the provincial superior's office.
Bro. Nishiyama says that originally he did not understand the difference
between priests and those who were called "Brothers." After he
entered the Society, taking vows as a brother was a "discernment."
Why did he choose this path? "A vocation is not something that can
be analyzed and understood completely. It is the result of ongoing discernment
and living that decision."
His parents are not Catholics, and there was no church near his home.
One day, when he was 10 years old, he wanted to visit a church. He opened
a telephone directory and telephoned a Catholic church. Then, each week
he began cycling over 30 minutes to Mihara Church in Hiroshima.
When he was a high school student, a nun took him to a Jesuit house. "If
I joined them I would be very happy," he began to think. But as yet
he had not received Baptism.
He came to Tokyo for university studies and each month participated
in a Jesuit vocations gathering.
"Have you not received Baptism yet?" he was asked, and so was
baptized at the age of 20. Following Japanese Church norms, he waited
three years and then entered the Society of Jesus.
A religious vocation, he said, is like a child.
"The vocation is given to you, and it is yours, but it is also not
yours. It must be cared for and nurtured by prayer."
Young adults look at vocation
Twice Imano Tsuneteru, 34, of the Kitanijurokujo Church in Sapporo
considered becoming a priest. The first time was when he was a high school
student and was influenced by a young priest. The second time was after
he gave up working, was searching for a path in life and thought about
the priesthood after getting to know another priest. After that he felt
that as a priest it would be difficult to relate to other Catholics and
non-Catholics, so he choose another life, and has no regrets. Presently
he is representative of the Catholic Candle Network, a network of Catholic
youth organizations, and believes that this is "another kind of vocation."
Haruo Akino, 28, of the Suminoe Church in Hokkaido was attracted
to the priesthood by the personality of a priest he met at a camp when
he was in primary school. Now he has a girlfriend and is not thinking about
the priesthood, but he sometimes wonders when he thinks about "wide
open happiness."
Young people who have never seriously considered a religious vocation
offer a variety of comments.
Yoko Takehara, a 30-year-old member of the Fukuyama Church in Hiroshima
said that while she is attracted to religious life, she found work which
gave her a sense of purpose and thinks it is "a Sister's life is different."
"I am attracted to marriage and rearing children," said Daigo
Okamoto, 31, of Hatsukaichi Church in Hiroshima and although the priesthood
was recommended to him a number of times, he is not considering that path,
he said.
Ayao Yakushinji, 27, of the Hikarigaoka Church in Fukuoka was moved
by the words of a friend who had entered a religious order and said, "I
feel like I can live with my hands spread out." She feels that those
who can live entrusting themselves to God are wonderful people.
Thirty-one-year-old Ai Fukahori of the Daimyomachi Church in Fukuoka
prefecture feels that one has a duty "in the good sense" to consider
a religious vocation when wondering about the meaning of life. She has
had an opportunity to do this a number of times, and said that "people
and books, and also sufferings and joys provide good material for reflection" at
those times when she does not feel any calling.
Males and females have different views about religious life, with
some, like Takehara, saying that they feel some "sexual discrimination" in
religious life. Yakushinji speaks for others who have tried religious life
and returned to secular society saying, "I wish to pray and support
people in both worlds."
Akino observed that the average age of priests is increasing, and
it must be difficult for many who can no longer do the work they are called
to. Some people wonder if the Church could not be supported by young people,
high school and middle school students, guided by people above them.
PILGRIMS CARRY STATUE OF MARY TO MARTYRS' SHRINE IN OTOME-TOGE FESTIVAL
Catholic Weekly, May 13, 2007
Over 2000 people from all over Japan participated
in the 55th Otome-Toge Festival in Tsuwano, Shimane prefecture, May
3.
During the festival students from Hagi Koen Academy and Salesian High
School in Sanyo-Onoda City carried a statue of Mary in procession from
Tsuwano Church to Otome-Toge, a distance of one and a half kilometers.
During the years 1868-73, a total of 153 Christians from Urakami in Nagasaki
were incarcerated in Otome-Toge, and 36 of these were martyred
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