Japan Catholic News
February 2006
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DISCUSS FAITH AND
DISABILITY
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 19
 Some 80 people gathered Feb. 11, World Day of the Sick, at the Tokyo
cathedral to exchange ideas on the theme Faith and Human Rights: What
it Means to Live with Illness and Disability. The gathering was sponsored
by the Japan Catholic Liaison Committee for the Disabled.
The committee billed the gathering as a "pre-event" in
preparation for a national convention planned for July.
The object of the session was to explore how people accept and live
with a handicap, disability or illness and how that experience shapes
their view of existence faith.
There were four speakers, each speaking from the point of view of a
different disability.
Hakuran Kanda, a member of the Olive Society, a Catholic association
for the mentally ill, had a nervous breakdown while working as a home
helper. From then on, he was in and out of hospitals and found that
workplaces were closed to him because of his illness. At present he
works in a factory and is trying to lead a normal life free from the
effects of his illness.
"
I am still subject to prejudice and discrimination," he told
participants,"but I try to smile and carry on."
Makiko Suzuki, a member of the Tokyo Catholic Society for the Deaf,
told how some people treated her while she was a student. On her way
to a school for the deaf some people threw stones at her or called
her names. Even at the securities company where she works at present
people can be nasty, throwing away her memos and so on. She tells God
about this in her prayer and things seem to take a turn for the best.
"
I am confident God will always smooth the way for me," she said.
Kazuhiko Yamaguchi, is a member of the International Society for the
Visually Handicapped. He told how his friends became fewer and fewer
as his blindness progressed. He spoke of the power of love in a family,
the effect of a friendly greeting and the importance of having lots
of volunteers in society who are willing to help the blind.
Emiko Nakahara, president of the Japan Catholic Liaison Committee for
the Disabled, spoke about the long and painful journey of people afflicted
with progressive muscular dystrophy, and the distress in searching
for a meaning in their suffering. It was meeting with people that was
her salvation, she said. When people accepted her, that gave her courage.
She stressed the importance of having a place where one feels welcome.
Miyako Azuma is a social worker who helps in a group home. She Told
a reporter that this was her first experience of attending a meeting
of this sort. It was a precious experience, she said, to learn about
the trials of the disabled from disabled people themselves.
RESTORATION, RENEWAL CONTINUE IN DIOCESE TORN BY DISSENT
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 12
A year-and-a-half after taking over the diocese of Takamatsu in July
2004, Bishop Osamu Mizobe spoke with the Katorikku Shimbun (Catholic
Weekly) about the challenges he has faced and the steps he has taken
to heal a diocese that had been torn apart by disputes over a diocesan
seminary conducted by the Neocatechumenal Way movement. Those disputes
led to a lawsuit that resulted in his predecessor, Bishop Satoshi Fukahori,
being ordered by a court in 2003 to pay compensation to two laymen
he defamed.
According to Bishop Mizobe, other dioceses and outside groups have
sent priests to assist in the reorganization of the diocese. Last year,
Father Sueo Hamaguchi from the Nagasaki diocese became Takamatsu's
diocesan chancellor and Salesian Father Hideaki Hamaguchi took over
as diocesan office manager. Two parishes received new pastors from
outside the diocese. Salesian Father Kosuke Murakami went to Imaichi
in Ehime, and Father Eijiro Suwa from the Osaka diocese went to Enokuchi/Nakashima
in Kochi.
Bishop Mizobe said that with a good strong framework in place the diocese
should settle down. The priests' diocesan council began operations
in 2004 and last year saw the establishment of committees for communication,
youth and mission, liturgy and continuing education. The heads of each
of these committees, a group that Bishop Mizobe his "brains," meet
every Wednesday and discuss where they need help and how they can cooperate
with one another. They work together well and place the utmost importance
on transparency, the bishop said.
As part of the diocesan reorganization, the Apostleship of the Laity
was disbanded, and committees for evangelization and pastoral care
(new to the Takamatsu diocese) were preparing for their first general
meeting when this interview took place.
Diocesan finances had been a major cause of contention among the laity
of the diocese when Bishop Mizobe took charge.
"
We have examined the diocesan financial records for the past 20 years
and put everything in order," the bishop said.
An important part of the effort to restore the diocese has been the
introduction of a contiuing education program consisting of seminars
on Christianity conducted by Hiroshima diocesan Father Masashi Goto,
who crosses the Inland Sea from him parish in Okayama, as well as the
four priests newly-assigned to Takamatsu and Bishop Mizobe. One hundred
twenty people attend these seminars.
"
Such a burst of enthusiasm shows how much the faithful were looking
for something like this," the bishop said.
In terms of pastoral reorganization and steps toward team ministry,
Bishop Mizobe said, "For the moment we are concentrating on Kagawa
prefecture. We haven't advanced to team ministry yet."
The plan is to begin steps toward team ministry in places where several
current parishes could easily work together.
"
We have two parishes in Kochi, four in Takamatsu and three in Matsuyama," the
bishop said. In April, two congregations of Sisters will join the parishes
that are collaborating.
"
However," the bishop continued, "my firm and unchanging
priority is to achieve unity among the priests and unity among the
laity."
The bishop said relations with the Neocathecumenal Way remain a problem.
"
We must start," he said, "by getting the Liturgy Committee
to set out a diocesan policy on the liturgy."
The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments issued a directive December 1, 2005, concerning the Neocatechumenate's
singular way of conducting the liturgy and instructing them to attend
regular parish Masses. The Takamatsu diocese is now preparing to implement
those instructions and will send a report to the Vatican congregation
on conditions there.
The biggest problem, the bishop said, remains the diocesan seminary.
"
At a time like this, when we are using one seminary to train priests
for the whole of Japan and getting the students to know one another,
it is questionable if the seminary we have here is fulfilling that
purpose," the bishop said, referring to steps to unify the nation's
other seminaries that train diocesan clergy.
Bishop Mizobe summarized the challenge that remains in restoring unity
to the diocese, saying, "The priests and laity who are not members
of the Neocatechumenate Community are convinced that unity in the diocese
is impossible until the seminary problem is settled."
JAPANESE AND KOREAN CHURCHES UNITE TO DEAL
WITH UNIFICATION CHURCH PROBLEMS
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 5
 Christian churches dealing with problems connected with the Holy
Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (Unification
Church) in Japan--the Christian Churches Liaison Conference on the
Unification Church Problem--held their first joint meeting with Korean
church representatives Jan.18-19 in Seoul, South Korea. Twenty-eight
members of the Liaison Conference and members of the Victims' Relatives
Association attended from Japan, and from the Korean side there were
21 representatives of various churches.
The Liaison Conference was set up in 2003 to reduce damage and assist
victims of the Unification Church. The number of requests for advice
and help has remained high. With almost 6,500 Japanese women having
gone to Korean to take part in mass wedding ceremonies, and problems
involving the children born of such marriages, it is not possible
to solve problems without the cooperation of Korean churches.
The January meeting was held to enable Korean churches to understand
the situation in Japan and provide an opportunity to work out a common
approach and deal with problems together.
The meeting began with a report by Pastor Masayuki Hiraoka of the
Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church and Shinichi Nemoto of the Victims' Relatives
Association on the situation of the Unification Church in Japan.
From the Korean side there was a report about individuals and churches
that have set up a committee to oppose a Unification Church-sponsored
resort development project already underway in the southern city
of Yosu.
On the second day of the meeting the Japanese and Korean representatives
issued a joint statement for the media.
The statement included the following four points: 1) religious organizations
and churches will cooperate in setting up an advice center for the
6,500 Japanese women now residing in Korea; 2) exchange of information
will be confidential, the Internet and other means will be used,
and accurate information will be given to members of the Unification
Church; 3) Japanese and Korean churches will cooperate with the committee
tackling the Unification Church problem in Yosu; 4) solidarity between
Japanese and Korean churches will be deepened through this cooperation
and it will contribute to the movement for Christian unity.
Father Hisashi Ritsuo, director of the Social Communications Office
of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, took part in
the Seoul meeting. He said that he was surprised to hear words of
apology from the Korean churches about the founder of the Unification
Church being a Korean.
"
There are many Christian churches in Korea and there has not been
as much damage there as in Japan, but since funds from Japan continues
to support the Unification Church, it was pointed out at the meeting
that it is urgent that Japanese churches and the government take
steps to deal with the problem.
I think that Japanese and Korean churches should further deepen solidarity
in dealing with this issue," said Father Hisashi.
400-YEAR-OLD PAINTING USED BY "HIDDEN
CHRISTIANS" RESTORED AND DISPLAYED
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 19
KYOTO, Japan (UCAN) -- Kyoto University Museum recently displayed
a restored 16th-century painting depicting Mary and the Child Jesus,
saints and the mysteries of the rosary. It was used during centuries
of persecution by Japan's "hidden Christians."
The scroll painting, measuring 76.5 centimeters tall and 63.6 centimeters
wide, was restored to nearly its original state to mark the 500th
anniversary of the birth of Saint Francis Xavier. The Jesuit saint,
who arrived in Japan in 1549 as a missioner, is one of the saints
pictured.
The scroll was discovered in 1930, hidden in a bamboo tube, in the
attic of a house in Otowa, a small mountain village outside Osaka.
Since then it has been kept at Kyoto University.
Over the years, many other artifacts connected with the hidden Christians
have been found in Otowa, which was ruled by Takayama Ukon (1552-1615),
a Christian daimyo (feudal lord), who was exiled from Japan after
Christianity was outlawed. He died in Manila.
Experts date the painting to the late 16th century. It was kept and
used by Christians who practiced their faith in secret. Christianity
was prohibited from 1613 to 1889, and Christians suffered severe
persecution.
The central part of the painting is divided into two sections. The
upper section shows Mary and the Child Jesus. The lower section shows
four saints -- Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Matthew and Lucy,
who are shown adoring the Eucharist. Surrounding these two central
panels on the sides and the top are depictions of the 15 mysteries
of the rosary.
The painting is done in European style, but shows Mary holding a
Japanese white camellia rather than the traditional rose. The painting
was done in oil on paper made from bamboo, and the underlying sketches
are in Chinese ink. Experts have concluded that the artist was Japanese,
probably someone who studied at an art school the Jesuits conducted
at their seminary in Arima.
Wear and repairs on the scroll indicate it saw much use during the
period when possession of it could have meant death. The repairs
were done using scraps of paper, suggesting that those who fixed
it were amateurs.
Shigeru Tenda is a member of a group that specializes in researching
on the hidden Christians. "When I saw the repairs to the scroll
that had been done over the years by the people whose faith was supported
by it, I was moved beyond words," the Catholic researcher said.
Naoko Iwasaki of Kyoto University Museum noted that while three such
scrolls showing the mysteries of the rosary are known to exist in
Japan, "this one gives the best evidence of the faithfulness
of Christians under persecution during the Edo period (1603-1867)."The
history lecturer declared, "It is a treasure of Japanese Church
history."
The scroll has been registered as an important cultural property
by the Japanese government. Its first public display took place at
the Kyoto University Museum, Feb. 1-26.
PROFILE: KENJIRO KORIYAMA, NEW BISHOP OF
KAGOSHIMA
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 12
 He wears a T-shirt and jeans, and walks in wooden sandals. Children
at Sunday school have asked him "But Father, why aren't you like
a priest?"
In November of last year when Kagoshima diocesan priest Fr. Kenjiro
Koriyama was told by his bishop, Shinichi Itonaga "my successor
has been appointed!" he replied "That's good!" When
the bishop continued, "It's you!" the priest's first
reaction was, "What! Me?" Then he asked, "Please let me
laugh a bit." After having a good laugh, he said immediately "That's
all right" and accepted the appointment.
The 63-year-old bishop-elect quipped to the Katorikku Shimbun, "If
you calculate it, there are 12 years left. Before everyone becomes bored
with me I will retire. It's just right! Our Lady answered immediately.
Our Lady's blood type was probably AB also. I am AB and think on my
feet!"
Worries came later. In an e-mail to a Malaysian friend he said that
he thought God was playing a joke. But when he read the reply, "It
is not a joke! God's choice is final," he felt that his uncertainties "floated
away."
Bishop Koriyama was born on Amamioshima and ordained a priest when
he was twenty-nine. "I think I have searched for both Jesus and myself," he
said.
He believes that it is the people he serves who form a priest, and
so has lived continuing to accept the challenges people bring to him.
"
Speak your own faith in your own words" is what he was told in the
seminary, and this is still something he is trying to do. He carries a Greek
Bible and a Japanese character dictionary around with him, and is always
thinking about the meaning of words. He tapes his own sermons and allows
people to listen to them on his homepage.
"
People are under the delusion that if they hold a meeting they are
beginning to do something," says Koriyama, lamenting this mental block
in the Church. "People cannot be happy being themselves. A priest who
is not happy to be himself is unfortunate." The motto on his coat of
arms is "but still... joy, hope, gratitude." He has requested
each church in the diocese to put up his coat of arms instead of a photograph.
At his consecration he distributed towels with the coat of arms on them.
"
Use them until they are in tatters, and remember me each time you wipe
your sweat. Let us live together with this slogan" he says about the
towels.
The new bishop also had thoughts about the miter: "A hat like a squid!
Will it really fit me?"
KAGOSHIMA GETS FIRST BISHOP WHO IS NATIVE OF THE
DIOCESE
CATHOLIC WEEKLY February 5
 Jan. 29 marked the ordination and installation of a new bishop for
Kagoshima, the first native of the diocese to be named bishop of the
area that includes the site where St. Francis Xavier first landed in
Japan in 1549.
Retiring Bishop Itonaga Shin-ichi, 76, presided at the ordination of his
successor, 63-year-old Bishop Koriyama Kenjiro, at the Junshin Girls' High
School in Kagoshima city. Some 1,700 people joined the celebration.
Bp. Itonaga served for 36 years as the first bishop of the diocese.
In the 33 years since his ordination as a diocesan priest, Bp. Koriyama
served in eight parishes. In addition to his work as a pastor, he
was at various times director of youth ministry, chaplain to the
Christian Life
Community (CLC) movement in the diocese, diocesan chancellor, member
of the priests' council and Marriage Encounter chaplain.
In his sermon at the ordination, Archbishop Takami Mitsuaki of Nagasaki
said, "I hope you will build an even better Kagoshima diocese by
building on its unique features."
According to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan, the
diocese has 9,524 members in 29 parishes and 41 mission stations.
The diocese is
unique among Japanese dioceses in that much of it consists of small
islands, many of them home to descendants of Christians who endured
persecution
from the 17th century till as late as the 19th century. Bp. Koriyama
is a native of one of those islands, Amami Oshima.
Okamoto Fumie, 29, a parishioner of the Shibushi Church where Fr. Koriyama
has served as pastor since 2001, said, "He shows us how to live our
faith in our day-to-day lives. I learned a lot from him.
Besides being pastor at Shibushi, the new bishop was principal of the
parish kindergarten, a job that even had him serving as school bus
driver. The children of the kindergarten took part in the ordination, and when
asked their opinion of their principal, said, "I like him," "He's
funny" and "I like his smile."
The national chaplain of Marriage Encounter, Jesuit Father Gunther Kerkmann,
commented on the new bishop, "He's easy to talk with, so he
will be close to his people."
The priest added that Bp. Koriyama is interested in making use of
various means of communication, such as the Internet and sharing by telephone.
The ordination was originally scheduled to be held at the Kagoshima cathedral,
but Fr. Koriyama said that he wanted it to be someplace where everyone
could attend, so it was moved to the roomier high school gymnasium.
 Bp. Koriyama is the fourth of seven children. His older sister, Kei, who
flew from Osaka for the ordination, reminisced that their mother
used to say that "as long as Kenjiro had a full stomach, he could fall asleep
anywhere without causing any fuss."
In his greeting as representative of the laity of the diocese, Noda Kentaro
spoke of the new bishop's motto, "Yet…Joy! Hope! Gratitude!" which
expresses the comforts of faith in a world of pain.
"I hope we can all keep our eyes on this dream and start our new
journey together," he said.
Bp. Koriyama provoked laughter when in his greeting at the end of
the ceremony he said, "This is the first time I've ever been able
to stand around looking important without having done anything."
Finally, accepting a bouquet, the new bishop said, "I haven't
the slightest idea why I'm standing here, but I'm happy to
receive this symbol of your confidence."
Bp. Koriyama's predecessor, Bp. Itonaga, will continue to live at
the episcopal residence in Kagoshima.
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