His face weathered from years at sea, kimono-clad Japanese fisherman Masaichi Kawasaki kneels before an altar adorned with images of the Virgin Mary, crossing himself as he softly intones chants handed down through centuries. Kawasaki, 69, is one of a dwindling number of Japan’s “Kakure Kirishitan,” or “Hidden Christians,” descendants of those who preserved their Read more
As Pope Francis prepares to embark on his fourth trip to Asia in the seventh year of his pontificate, he is delivering in a big way on the promise he made shortly after his election that he would make Asia a key focus of his papacy. When he appointed Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle as head Read more
In many ways Pope Francis is following in the footsteps of his great travelling predecessor St. John Paul II in his apostolic visits to Thailand and Japan. The first Asia trip of St. John Paul II in 1981 included Japan, and in 1984 he visited Thailand. But the comparison appears to end right there — Read more
Despite the difficulties evangelisation in Japan presents, the Catholic Church still finds ways to proclaim the Gospel, says Tokyo’s Archbishop Isao Kikuchi. He says it’s been difficult for the Church to move into mainstream Japanese society, which has faced persecution and genocide since 1549. “In Japanese society, it is difficult to find tangible success in Read more
Pope Francis is expected to make an official trip to Thailand in November ahead of an already announced visit to Japan, becoming the first pontiff in nearly four decades to go to either country, Vatican sources say. The three sources said the trip would be announced soon. The late Pope John Paul visited Japan in Read more
A Japanese museum has found a scroll written by the country’s early Christians. According to “The Mainichi” newspaper, an inscription on the scroll reads “1592 years since His Birth,”. This has suggested to historians that this was the year the scroll was created. Carbon dating has dated the scroll as having been created prior to Read more
A Japanese visit is a possibility for Pope Francis next year. If he goes, it will be only the second time a Catholic pontiff has visited visit Japan. St Pope John Paul II visited Japan in 1981. Francis made the announcement of his proposed visit to members of the “Tensho Kenoh Shisetsu Kenshokai” association he Read more
Chinese authorities have detained 21 Japanese missionaries over the past few weeks. The missionaries were working in several southwestern provinces and in the northwestern autonomous region of Ningxia. The detention of the 21 Christian group members is thought to be part of the Chinese authorities’ efforts to crack down on missionary work. They are categorising missionary Read more
Japan’s bishops have written to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. They want strict observance of the constitutional separation of state-sponsored ceremonies. They say these ceremonies should be clearly separated from the imperial family’s private religious ones when the change of emperors takes place in 2019. The bishops note this principle was “learned from reflection on history Read more
In 2010, Sister Paschal (Jennie) O’Sullivan returned home to Ireland at the age of 98 after 75 years of missionary work in Japan, which including teaching English at one of the Japan’s most prestigious girls’ schools, Denenchofu Futaba in Tokyo. Among her past pupils is Japan’s Crown Princess Masako. Following Sister Paschal’s 100th birthday, her Read more