Japan Catholic News
December 2009
JAPANESE DELEGATION BRINGS RELICS TO ROME
TO MARK ANNIVERSARY OF MARTYRS’ BEATIFICATION
Catholic Weekly, December 6, 2009
 Six bishops were among a group of some 170 Japanese pilgrims who
delivered relics of Japanese martyrs to the pope to mark the first
anniversary of the beatification of Peter Kibe and 187 Martyrs of
Japan.
The beatification ceremony in Nagasaki took place last year in November,
and in commemoration, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan president
Archbishop Takeo Okada of Tokyo and the chairman of the Special Committee
on Canonization and Beatification, Bishop Osamu Mizobe of Takamatsu,
lead the delegation. Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello, apostolic
nuncio in Japan, joined the group at a general audience with Pope
Benedict XVI Nov. 25 in the Paul VI Hall.
The audience ended with the presentation of relics of the beatified
to the pontiff.
Upon offering the relics to the pope, Archbishop Okada said, "Today,
400 years after the beatified embraced Rome with fervor, they return
to Rome. In this way, may Japan's beatified rest in Rome forever,
becoming a symbol of the bonds, the exchange between the Church in
Rome and in Japan." The pope replied, "We welcome the pilgrims
of Japan visiting on the first anniversary of the beatification."
Preaching at a Mass celebrated by the group in a Vatican chapel
that same day, Bishop Mizobe touched on doubts about the beatification
and canonization process that necessitate many burdens.
"I’m deeply moved that we reached the day of beatification
of 188 Martyrs after 27 years of processing. It is the very way to
confirm our own faith and way of life. It's incredibly important
that we now live the faith of those who lived 400 years ago and make
it our own."
Before and after the audience, pilgrims broke into several groups
to travel to different places, including the Basilica of St. John
Lateran, where Peter Kibe was ordained.
Upon returning to Japan, Archbishop Okada compared the persecution
of those who lived 400 years ago to the different struggles of today.
"It's not that Christianity is banned anymore, but a greater
power is more subtly suppressing those with faithful hearts. I won't
say that there's nothing anyone can do, but the situation is that
it's extremely difficult to live expressing ones faith with zeal.
It is my wish that this pilgrimage might simulate positive action
within the Church in Japan. Starting now, it's vital to the Church
of Japan. We can't let it end in a mere ceremony."
NEW SEMINARY CARRIES ON TRADITION OF OPEN
CAMPUS DAY FOR SUPPORTERS
Catholic Weekly, December 6, 2009
 A festival for supporters of the Japan Catholic Seminary took place
at the seminary’s Tokyo campus Nov. 23, the first since the
merger, effective last April, of the Tokyo Catholic Seminary and
the Fukuoka St. Sulpice Seminary. It was a successor to the "Xavier
Festival" held each year at the Tokyo Catholic Seminary for
Catholics who supported the training of seminarians.
Osaka diocesan priest Fr. Nobuyuki Matsuura, vice-rector of the
seminary, led an opening Mass and the rector, Sulpician Fr. Tsuyomi
Makiyama, gave a talk about recent changes in the seminary.
In his homily, Fr. Matsuura first spoke to children in the front
row, reading them a picture book titled Our Jesus Makes Us Grow
through His Cross. Then, turning to the grown-ups he continued, "The
divine creation is not ended yet. God is still continuing the creation
and deepening us into perfection."
Fr. Makiyama spoke of a new approach instituted in formation and
education at the seminary.
He said, "Not only the rector, but also the formation staff
are now involved in policy-making. The management was changed from
a top-down to a bottom-up model, from discipline to initiative."
Fr. Makiyama then called the audience’s attention to a questionnaire
and solicited frank answers to the question: "What kind of priests
do you want?"
He added, "The seminarians will be pleased to hear directly
from you what ideas you have on priesthood. I am sure it will be
of great help to them."
After his talk, questions regarding the seminary’s finances
and further explanations as to how the new management style works
were raised.
Some of the seminarians’ parish supporters said that more
people would have come if publicity could have begun earlier and
expressed their wish to make the event open to all the faithful by
allowing ample time for preparation.
Concerts and other entertainment for children were performed by
seminarians. Guided tours introduced the inside of the seminary and
an exhibit prepared by the seminarians.
HAPPI-CLAD CATHOLICS HAPPY TO JOIN LOCAL FESTIVAL
Catholic Weekly, November 15, 2009
Nearly 100 Catholics sporting happi coats bearing the name of St.
Francis Xavier took part in the first day of a two-day local festival
in Kagoshima in southern Kyushu Nov. 2.
This was the second year that a contingent from the Kagoshima diocese
took part in the tradition festival, joining some 8,000 people from
90 groups in singing folk songs as they paraded 1.5 kilometers along
the city's main street.
Every August, the diocese celebrates a Xavier Festival, celebrating
the arrival of the saint in Japan. Last year, Masahiro Ogo, 56, who
was Adult Committee chief at the Xavier Cathedral at the time, suggested
that parishioners participate in the Ohara Festival, using the same
happi coats they made for the Xavier Festival. With Fr. Yoshinobu
Yamaguchi – who hails from Tokushima, famous for the AwaOdori
Festival – as leader of the group, they mustered about 150
people from surrounding parishes to participate.
Ogo, working again as manager this year, said that participation
in last year's Ohara Festival didn't sit easy with some of the faithful,
but this year it was treated as an evangelization project. Dance
practice was held at the cathedral, where parishioners from surrounding
churches – six in all – joined Bishop Koriyama in the
buildup to the festival.
The diocesan happi coats are bright blue and red, featuring the
face of Xavier and an image of Sakurajima on the back. Around the
pictures the motto, "Remember the Fervor of Xavier!"
St. Xavier Church's Fuyoko Noda, 76, a parishioner at the cathedral
said she was among those who surprised acquaintances with the statement
of faith on her happi coat.
Though the day of the parade was marked by a strong, cold wind,
prefectural Filipina group representative Mary Hira, 44, of the Xavier
Cathedral said, "It was fun -- the kids' sports meet, and dancing
so much with the older ladies. Only five Filipinos came, though.
I'm disappointed!"
The Catholics marched carrying banners proclaiming "The Gospel
Mission" to advertise the presence of the Church. Participants
said they are looking forward to making new banners for next year.
OSAKA SOCIAL ACTION CENTER SPONSORS SEMINAR ON 'SANCTITY
OF LIFE'
Catholic Weekly, November 29, 2009
Sinapis, the Social Action Center of the Catholic Archdiocese of
Osaka, conducted its training conference for this year Nov. 14, with
about 80 people gathering at the archdiocesan offices and other places
for the event.
The one-day meeting began with a lecture by Auxiliary Bishop Goro
Matsuura in the morning. In the afternoon, participants took a group
excursion, a first for a Sinapis training session.
Commenting on the inclusion of a field trip in the program, Sinapis
director Fr. Kazunori Hayashi said that getting out into the world "reverberates
more deeply in the heart, causes the heart to quake. And that quaking
of the heart urges us to take the first step of a new journey."
In speaking upon the theme for this year's training, "Treasuring
the Sanctity of Life," Bishop Matsuura emphasized that freedom
of will, of choice, and of judgment are necessary for sanctity.
"For instance, to treat a child properly you must also respect
that child's free will. If you go to Kamagasaki and hand out
blankets, you don't assume that a person needs a blanket simply
because he is cold. Instead, you should ask, 'We have some
blankets; would you like one?' You will often be told, 'No,
I don't need it. Give it to that person instead.' The
people you are dealing with have the freedom to make their own decisions,
and you must let them speak their minds in order to give them the
respect they deserve."
He also spoke concerning dignity within relationships. "Bumping
into a tree and bruising your face is different from being bruised
by someone who hits you, even if the wound itself is identical. Assaults
to dignity always happen within relationships. Affirmations of dignity
also happen only within relationships. Rebuilding relationships,
restoring humanity – these are essential to cultivating respect
for human dignity."
Yasuki Tanaka, 26, a member of the Semboku Church in Osaka, said, "This
was the first time I'd heard an explanation of the word 'dignity.' I
myself have a tendency towards self-abasement, and in the midst of
an overwhelming life, this session was a great help for me."
During the afternoon trip, participants set out on a five-stop course.
The first two stops were intended to make participants reflect on
human rights, and consisted of visits to Liberty Osaka (Osaka's
human rights museum) and Kamagasaki, site of historic civil demonstrations
and police brutality as well as the location of a major slum. Next,
they went to Peace Osaka (also known as the Osaka International Peace
Center) and a former battlefield near Osaka Castle, to contemplate
the evils of war. There followed a trip to Ikuno Korea Town, to walk
through the area and observe the lifestyle of the inhabitants. Finally,
they attended a screening of the film Laws for Life.
At Peace Osaka, exhibits educate visitors about the World War II
air raids that rocked Osaka on several occasions, the circumstances
of wartime life, the injuries inflicted upon the people of other
Asian nations by Japan and the sorts of tribulations faced by both
the soldiers and the civilians of Japan.
"When I think back, I remember only sadness, that's really
all," said Rieko Nakagawa, who was a grade school student at
the time of the war and is now a parishioner at the Shukugawa Church
in Hyogo. "I myself was living in Kyoto, where there were no
air raids, and didn't learn how badly the people in Osaka had
it until I was in college. So I can't look at those photographs."
Keiko Inoue, 58, a member of Hyogo's Mukonoso Church, said, "I
get a terrible lump in my throat. It's awful, no matter who
it is. What Japan did was inexcusable, and at the same time Japan
itself was suffering. We cannot accept war--for any reason."
CATHOLICS JOIN ECUMENICAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR
NAGASAKI HOMELESS
Catholic Weekly, November 15, 2009
Catholics and Protestants in Nagasaki have launched an ecumenical
association of organizations and individuals who serve the homeless.
The inauguration of Supporters of the Homeless of Nagasaki took
place at an Oct. 31 conference in that city.
The idea for the association arose at a forum held last Feb. 7.
A week later, three action groups were set up to coordinate meal
services, self-reliance assistance and a secretarial office. They
began a night patrol once a week, checking to see how many homeless
people there were, where they were concentrated and bringing them
bentos (meal boxes).
There are more Protestants than Catholics in the association's
membership. Among the Catholic members, Yasuko Takahashi, a parishioner
of the Higashi-Nagasaki Church, is president.
Some Catholic parish women's groups and members of the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) of two parishes, Akunoura and Nakamachi,
have assumed responsibility for bento preparation. Other Catholic
churches lend a hand in the service in some way or other. Parish
priests join the night patrol.
Yoshimi Ide from the Akunoura Church has been director of the association's
office since February.
He said, "In big cities there are the slums or homeless districts,
but in Nagasaki there is no place like them. We did not know where
to go at first. Checking several parks, we came to know that there
are some in the Mizube No Mori Park. Once someone said to us, 'I
saw someone in Nishizaka Park.' We went there immediately but
could find no homeless person. They don't always stay on the
same place."
"Publicity is our present concern," Ide added. An increase
in both the membership and revenues is the association's greatest
need. He said he plans to call on non-Christian citizens and Buddhist
groups to join the association.
Ide continued, "We prepare about 10 bento boxes each time.
Three or four volunteers form carrying teams and meet with around
10 homeless people. I feel that the number is far less than our estimate.
There must be the homeless living in vehicles. But, it is quite difficult
to be sure whether a person in car is homeless or not."
His plan included securing more shelters and in preparation for
winter to get gauze masks and disposable body warmers.
Ide looked back and said, "I am doing this as a means to extend
my hand and heart to those in need. Remaining within the church to
hold on to a pure faith wouldn't be enough. I guess members
of SVP are of the same opinion as mine. We want to share the blessings
of support with other parishioners. If we could show non-Christian
neighbors the common good of serving the poor and vulnerable, that
would serve as a vehicle for the evangelization of our society."
For details about the Association, telephone Yoshimi Ide at 095-861-0291.
"Nippon Notes" by William
Grimm
HUMPTY DUMPTY IN THE VATICAN
UCA News
In Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll's sequel to Alice in
Wonderland, Alice meets Humpty Dumpty.
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful
tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more
nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words
mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be
master – that's all."
The egg-man is convinced that whatever nonsense he utters makes sense
because he says it does.
The pope's offer to allow Anglicans who enter into communion with
the Catholic Church to continue to use many of their liturgical traditions
reminded me of this scene.
Commenting on the offer, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, said, "Insofar as these traditions
express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are
a gift to be shared in the wider Church. The unity of the Church does not
require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of
Christianity shows."
As I read those words, I had a vision of Humpty Dumpty wearing a galero,
the traditional headdress of a cardinal, and jostling other egg-men as
they waddled through curial corridors at the Vatican.
Despite what the cardinal says, the recent history of Catholic Christianity
shows that for the Vatican, "the unity of the Church" precisely "require(s)
a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity."
The Church in Japan and the rest of Asia is preparing new Mass translations.
The rule that Rome has issued for this work is that Asian Catholics must
celebrate a Western liturgy using literal translations of a Latin text
as well as gestures that come from a Mediterranean cultural context.
So, Japanese bishops have had to argue repeatedly against re-inserting
the kissing of the altar into the liturgy here. In Japan, the kiss is a
sexual gesture, not one of reverence as it sometimes is in European countries.
Yet, the Roman insistence on uniformity has made even that little recognition
of cultural diversity a struggle. It appears that since sex enters the
picture, the curial officials involved have finally agreed to back down
and allow some form of bow instead.
The response to the greeting, "The Lord be with you." presents
another difficulty. The Latin text that must be translated literally is, "Et
cum spiritu tuo" (And with your spirit). However, there is no Japanese
equivalent to the Latin word "spiritus." The only words that
come remotely close mean "spook" or a word that is usually used
in a hyper-nationalistic way about "the Japanese spirit." The
curial response to native-Japanese-speakers who try to point out
that difficulty has been that they just do not know their own language
well enough.
The problems are not limited to Japan. The Church in India, for example,
faces the same frustrations in trying to develop a way for Indian
Catholics to actually experience that "the unity of the Church does not require
a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity."
In 1659, the predecessor to the Congregation for the Evangelization of
Peoples issued an instruction for mission in Asia.
"Make no endeavor and in no way persuade these people to change their
rites, habits and mores as long as these are not very manifestly
contrary to religion and good mores. Indeed, what would be more absurd
than to introduce Gaul, Spain, Italy or some other part of Europe to China?
Bring not these things but the faith, which neither rejects nor harms the
rites and customs of any nation provided they are not perverse but which
rather desires them to remain intact.
"And because it is almost the nature of men to prefer in estimation
and love their own things, and especially their own nation, to things
that belong to others, there exists no cause of hatred and alienation more
poignant than the tampering with native customs, above all, of those which
men have grown accustomed to from the memory of their forefathers. Especially
is this true when you substitute and bring in the mores of your own country
in place of those you have removed. Therefore never interchange the
practices of these people with European practices; rather with great diligence
become accustomed to their practices."
It appears that the curia in "the bad old days" was more open-minded
than it is today.
 However, it does no good to simply gripe about curial officials. After
all, they are bureaucrats, and so perhaps it is natural for them
to be as insensitive as Humpty Dumpty toward those who seem to misunderstand "which
is to be master."
The bigger problem, perhaps, is right here in Asia, with our bishops,
our clergy and our laypeople. Are we too willing to defer to those bureaucrats?
There is a myth in the Churches of Asia that confrontation is not the
Asian style. Only people who do not pay attention to the daily news can
believe such nonsense. When Asian people feel aggrieved they are fully
capable of fighting back.
In the matter of liturgy as in much else, might it be time for us to nudge
Humpty Dumpty off his wall?
Maryknoll Father William Grimm is the
publisher of UCA News and former editor-in-chief of Katorikku Shimbun,
Japan's Catholic weekly.
Opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do
not represent the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan.
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