GIAPPONE: MORTO SHIRAYANAGI, CARDINALE DEL SOL LEVANTE
Jan 08, 2010
(AG) - Tokyo, 31 dic. - E' morto in Giappone all'eta' di 81 anni l'ex arcivescovo di Tokyo, Seiichi Shirayanagi. Era l'unico cardinale di nazionalita' giapponese in vita e solo il quarto nella storia del Sol Levante, Paese a maggioranza shintoista e buddista. Le sue condizioni di salute si erano aggravate dopo un attacco cardiaco, il 3 agosto. Dopo un'esperienza in Puglia, nel 1970 era diventato arcivescovo di Tokyo, carica ricoperta per 30 anni. Nel concistoro del 26 novembre 1994, Giovanni Paolo II lo creo' cardinale del titolo di Santa Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza. I funerali si terranno il 5 gennaio. .
Il cordoglio del Papa per la morte del cardinale Shirayanagi, testimone della fede in Giappone
Jan 08, 2010
Si è spento questa mattina in Giappone il cardinale Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, arcivescovo emerito di Tokyo. Il porporato, sotto cura per problemi cardiaci, aveva 81 anni. Recentemente era stato trasferito nella Casa di cura per anziani sacerdoti della Compagnia di Gesù “Lojola House”, dove è spirato serenamente. Il Papa, in un telegramma inviato all’attuale arcivescovo di Tokyo, mons. Peter Takeo Okada, ha espresso il suo profondo cordoglio per la morte del cardinale, di cui ha ricordato con gratitudine “l’inesauribile impegno nella diffusione del Vangelo in Giappone”, “la sua opera per la promozione della giustizia e della pace e i suoi instancabili sforzi a favore dei rifugiati”. Il servizio di Sergio Centofanti.
Il cardinale Shirayanagi, laureato in filosofia, teologia e diritto canonico, divenne sacerdote a 26 anni, arcivescovo di Tokyo a 42 e cardinale a 66. Nel febbraio del 1981, accolse Giovanni Paolo II in occasione della prima visita papale in Giappone. Noto per il suo impegno a favore della pace e del disarmo internazionale, rilanciò l’evangelizzazione nel Sol Levante, con una particolare attenzione ai problemi sociali come quello dei rifugiati. Nel 1986, durante l’Assemblea generale dei vescovi asiatici ammise le colpe di guerra della Chiesa cattolica giapponese. Tre anni dopo, formò un gruppo di religiosi e di laici per visitare la Chiesa Cattolica in Cina con l'intento di incontrare i cattolici cinesi. Tra gli obiettivi, la richiesta di perdono per i crimini commessi dall'esercito imperiale giapponese contro il popolo cinese e la Chiesa cattolica in Cina e il sostegno alla ricostruzione di chiese, seminari e istituti religiosi. Svolse un importante opera di aiuto a favore delle minoranze cristiane in Asia.
Il 24 novembre dell’anno scorso aveva partecipato a Nagasaki alla Beatificazione di 188 martiri giapponesi in gran parte laici, donne, bambini e anche disabili, barbaramente torturati e uccisi in odio alla fede nel 1600. Il porporato parlando di questi testimoni della fede aveva sottolineato: erano persone normali ma credevano davvero in Gesù e hanno preferito obbedire a Dio piuttosto che ai decreti anticristiani dei generali giapponesi, e per questo hanno dato la vita.
I funerali del cardinale Shirayanagi dovrebbero svolgersi martedì prossimo, 5 gennaio, nella Cattedrale di Tokyo. Con la sua morte il numero attuale dei cardinali scende a 184, di cui 112 "elettori", in quanto sotto gli 80 anni, e 72 "non elettori"
„Kleiner Kardinal mit dem großen Herzen“
Jan 08, 2010
Einziger Kardinal Japans stirbt - Kardinal Meisner kondoliert
Zum Tod von Kardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, Alt-Erzbischof des Kölner Partnerbistums Tokyo, hat Erzbischof Joachim Kardinal Meisner kondoliert. In seinem Schreiben an den Erzbischof von Tokyo Peter Takeo Okada erinnert Meisner an die feste Brücke der Freundschaft, an welcher der Verstorbene mit vielen Besuchen in Köln weiter gebaut hat. Shirayanagi war am Mittwoch im Alter von 81 Jahren gestorben
An der Beisetzungsfeier am 5. Januar in der Marienkathedrale Tokyo nehmen für das Erzbistum Köln Weihbischof Manfred Melzer und Dr. Rudolf Solzbacher, Leiter der Diözesanstelle Weltkirche-Weltmission, teil.
Der „kleine Kardinal mit dem großen Herzen“ hatte noch im vergangenen Jahr bei seinem letzten Besuch in Köln hervorgehoben, er könne sich sein priesterliches Leben ohne die freundschaftliche Verbundenheit mit dem Erzbistum Köln gar nicht vorstellen. Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi wurde am 17. Juni 1928 geboren und 1954 zum Priester geweiht, im selben Jahr, in dem der Kölner Kardinal Frings mit dem Tokyoter Erzbischof Peter Tatsuo Doi die „Gebets- und Hilfsgemeinschaft Köln-Tokyo“ begründete. 1966 wurde Shirayanagi Weihbischof in Tokyo und folgte im Februar 1970 dem verstorbenen Kardinal Doi auf dem Bischofsstuhl. 1994 wurde er selbst zur Kardinalswürde erhoben. Noch vor wenigen Tagen hatte ihm Kardinal Meisner schriftlich zum 55. Priesterjubiläum am 21. Dezember gratuliert.
Aus gesundheitlichen Gründen hatte Shirayanagi den Papst 1999 um Entpflichtung von seinen Ämtern gebeten, die im Februar 2000 angenommen wurde. Am Konklave 2005 konnte er teilnehmen und im vergangenen Jahr noch die Feierlichkeiten zur Seligsprechung von Petrus Kibe und den 187 Martyrern von Nagasaki im Süden Japans leiten. Im vergangenen August musste er nach einem leichten Schlaganfall das Krankenhaus aufsuchen, war aber nach einer dreimonatigen Rehabilitation soweit wiederhergestellt, dass er vor einer Woche in das Loyola House, Altenpflegeheim der Jesuiten, umziehen konnte. Dort war er heute morgen einem Herzinfarkt erlegen.
In Shirayanagis 30-jährige Amtszeit fiel der Japan-Besuch von Papst Johannes Paul II. im Jahr 1981. Von 1983 bis 1992 stand er der Japanischen Bischofskonferenz vor. Unter anderem rief er die bischöfliche Kommission für Gerechtigkeit und Frieden ins Leben.
Seit einem Besuch des Kölner Kardinals Joseph Frings (1887-1978) in Tokio im Jahr 1957 bestanden partnerschaftliche Beziehungen zwischen den beiden Erzbistümern; nach dem gleichen Vorbild setzte sich Shirayanagi für Kontakte zu Katholiken in China und für eine Aussöhnung zwischen den beiden Völkern ein. 1994 erhob Johannes Paul II. ihn zum Kardinal.
http://www.domradio.de/aktuell/artikel_59981.html
Late Japanese cardinal remembered for peace efforts
Dec 31, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI said he was “deeply saddened” by news of the death of Japanese Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi on Dec. 30.
Late Japanese cardinal remembered for peace efforts
By Gerard O’Connell, UCAN Special Correspondent in Rome
On 2009-12-31
VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI said he was “deeply saddened” by news of the death of Japanese Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi on Dec. 30.
The 81-year-old cardinal died at the Loyola House for elderly priests in Tokyo. His health had deteriorated since suffering a heart attack in August.
He was one of two Japanese cardinals who participated in the April 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
In a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada, who succeeded Cardinal Shirayanagi as archbishop of Tokyo, Pope Benedict recalled the cardinal’s “unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel in Japan,” his work “for the promotion of justice and peace,” and his “tireless efforts for refugees” during his long ministry as priest and bishop.
The Pope offered “heartfelt condolences” to the clergy, Religious and laity of the archdiocese and prayed that God may grant the late cardinal “the reward of his labors, and welcome his noble soul into the light and peace of heaven.”
An obituary in the Vatican daily, “L’Osservatore Romano,” paid tribute to the cardinal for being “particularly open” to dialogue with other religions.
He was renowned for his “steadfastness and respect for the freedom of all believers,” the daily said.
Cardinal Shirayanagi was also noted for his “numerous and important initiatives for peace and disarmament,” especially in memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
He strongly advocated debt forgiveness for poor countries and established the first Justice and Peace Commission of the Japanese bishops’ conference. The cardinal also served as president of the conference’s Commission for Social Activities where he fought for refugees’ rights.
The Vatican daily praised the way he had developed “cordial relations” with Chinese Catholics and went to meet a group of Chinese priests, Religious and laity in 1989.
Two highlights of his career were welcoming Pope John Paul II to Japan in 1981, and presiding at the beatification ceremony of 188 Japanese martyrs in Nagasaki stadium on Nov. 24, 2008.
A requiem mass for the cardinal will be held in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Tokyo, on Jan. 5 and the cardinal will then be cremated in accordance with Japanese custom.
Cardinal Shirayanagi was born in Hachioji in Tokyo archdiocese on June 17, 1928. He gained degrees in philosophy and theology at Sophia University before being ordained priest on Dec. 21, 1954.
After his ordination, he went to Rome to study canon law and in May 1966 was appointed auxiliary bishop of Tokyo. Three years later, he was made coadjutor to Cardinal Peter Tatsuo Doi, whom he succeeded as archbishop of Tokyo on Feb. 21, 1970.
Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal on Nov. 26, 1994. He headed Tokyo archdiocese until February 2000.
With his death, there is no longer any Japanese member in the College of Cardinals, but that may change when Pope Benedict holds the next consistory, sometime in 2010.
Japanischer Kardinal Seiichi Shirayanagi wird 80
Jun 17, 2008
Der Alterzbischof von Tokio, Kardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, wird am Dienstag 80. Mit Erreichen der Altersgrenze scheidet der Kardinal aus dem Kreis der Papstwähler aus. Somit sind noch 116 Kardinäle jünger als 80 und damit bei einem künftigen Konklave stimmberechtigt.
Tokio, 15.6.08 (KAP) Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi wurde 1954 zum Priester und 1966 zum Bischof geweiht. 1970 ernannte ihn Paul VI. zum Erzbischof der japanischen Hauptstadt; 1994 erhielt er die Kardinalswürde. Im Februar 2000 schied Seiichi Shirayanagi mit 71 Jahren aus Gesundheitsgründen vorzeitig aus dem Amt; sein Nachfolger ist Erzbischof Peter Takeo Okada. (ende)
UCAN Interview - FABC Human Development Pioneer Cites Cardinals' Work, Interfaith Partnerships Among Federation's Gains
Jul 21, 2007
Retired Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, former head of the FABC Office of Human Development, names Japanese Cardinals Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi and Stephen Fumio Hamao among Asians working zealously for human development.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines (UCAN, 20/07/2007) -- Retired Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, former head of the FABC Office of Human Development, names Japanese Cardinals Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi and Stephen Fumio Hamao among Asians working zealously for human development.
On July 12 Bishop Labayen spoke with UCA News from his residence in Antipolo City, east of Manila, after Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University announced its award for Maryknoll Father Edward Malone, first assistant secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).
In electing the American missioner to receive the Bukas Palad (open hands) award, the university cited his "significant contributions" to the development of the federation.
FABC Secretary General Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato is scheduled to accept the award for Father Malone on July 25 at a Special Academic Convocation at the university's Quezon City campus, northeast of Manila.
Father Malone, 81, returned to the United States in 2004 after serving more than three decades as FABC assistant secretary general, based in Hong Kong.
Bishop Labayen speaks in the interview about the award, the work of Japanese Cardinals Shirayanagi, 79, and Hamao, 77, in human development, and the FABC's Office of Human Development (OHD), which he served 1972-78 as its first chairman. The FABC was formed in 1972.
In the interview, the bishop recalls his experiences with Cardinal Shirayanagi, retired archbishop of Tokyo, who was president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan 1983-1992. The cardinal established the Japanese bishops' Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace.
He also chaired the Japanese bishops' Episcopal Commission for Social Activities, which dealt with issues such as the plight of refugees, basic policy for foreign aid and Church opposition to discriminatory legislation.
Bishop Labayen said he was impressed also by Cardinal Hamao, the former auxiliary bishop of Tokyo and later bishop of Yokohama, who also served as bishops' conference president. After eight years heading the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, the cardinal now serves as board member of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
During his years with the OHD, Bishop Labayen co-founded the Asian Cultural Forum on Development (ACFOD) to work with people of various religious in Asia and Australia on the challenges of poverty, war and other social issues.
In 1973, the Carmelite bishop helped organize various Catholic Church development agencies into the Asia Partnership for Human Development (APHD).
As retired prelate of Infanta, Quezon province, 70 kilometers east of Manila, Bishop Labayen addressed a 2003 gathering of bishops in Europe about what Churches in Europe can learn from Asia and other younger and poorer Churches.
At 81, the Filipino bishop offers spiritual advice and direction to members of Agri-Justice Manila farmers' NGO, the Movement for Nationalist Economy and other NGOs working for social development and reform.
The UCA News interview with Bishop Labayen follows:
UCA NEWS: What is the significance of Father Malone's award for the Church in Asia?
BISHOP JULIO XAVIER LABAYEN: The FABC, which Father Malone helped build, brought together bishops' conferences throughout Asia, and that's why it has become influential. The bishops realized Churches in Asia in countries with different cultures have to come together and discover how they can relate with one another. With FABC, bishops have learned to respect the cultures of fellow bishops and to practice ecumenism.
What is a concrete example of this "coming together"?
Let me give you a personal example. Through my involvement with FABC I got very close to (then) Archbishop Shirayanagi. Another bishop in the 1970s in Tokyo archdiocese told me FABC also made him feel "very challenged." Soon, this young bishop would be seen in pictures in the streets of Tokyo with a bullhorn to his mouth promoting justice and peace. The young Auxiliary Bishop Hamao of Tokyo was later made cardinal and assigned to social-justice work in Rome.
Were the two future cardinals involved in FABC social-justice work when you headed OHD?
Yes, I worked with them on justice and peace. But one thing I overlooked when I was head of the Office for Human Development was the importance of bishops' experience of poverty. Later, a priest from Holland, Father Bill Roetenberg, a sociologist, recommended that I ask the bishops to, as much as possible, have an experience of living with the poor. So I went around promoting this program among the bishops. I myself lived among squatters in southern Sri Lanka. And this was how Bishop Hamao was converted.
What do you mean by "converted"?
I am not sure what he was involved in before I met him, but after living with the poor, I think it was in Sri Lanka also, he returned to Tokyo zealous about justice and peace work, and promoting the mission of the Church.
What drew Asian bishops to unite?
All the bishops of Asia met for the first time here (Manila) in (University of) Santo Tomas in 1970. That was historical. What really highlighted it was Pope Paul VI's visit. That was the first time that the pope set foot on Philippine soil, and it really gave value to this meeting of the Asian bishops.
When we organized, we chose to call ourselves a federation because we respect the autonomy of each bishops' conference. We believe that bishops must contribute to the FABC accordingly, to share what they have. We come together as partners under this federation so we can act in unison, guided by one vision.
Earlier, in 1967, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical, Populorum Progressio ("On the Development of Peoples"), that addressed the impact of globalization and liberal capitalism on Third World poverty.
Did this inspire the formation of OHD?
OHD was formed to help the bishops promote human development in Asia. Human development meant we had to focus on the poor and work for justice and peace.
What are signs of growth of the Church through OHD?
Well, you know that Office for Human Development was able to move into ecumenism, and that is how we were able to bring together different groups who were not part of bishops' conferences but were essential to human development. We later formed the separate group Asian Cultural Forum on Development, whose office was in Hong Kong. I was the head of it, and I am still honorary chairman. It was to promote the culture of Asia. It came out of FABC, and Father Malone helped make such initiatives possible. This way OHD and FABC opened up to a real ecumenical dimension.
The Asia Partnership on Human Development is another development that came out of FABC initiatives on human development.
Later, Australian bishops also began a bond with Asian bishops. I received feedback from Australia saying some organizations got involved in the FABC movement through OHD, believing in what FABC is promoting, mainly dialogue with culture, religions and the poor.
What was Father Malone's role in this development?
You know, Father Malone is known to have really promoted this orientation and the vision of FABC. It was part of the mission spirit of Maryknoll. That's where he stood out. It was his vocation as a missionary. He was very zealous and faithful. He was effective.
What is the challenge to the FABC today?
FABC head Archbishop Quevedo is an Oblate missionary. He has also this mission spirit. How the FABC will fare today depends on how widespread his contacts will be, and whether FABC can make the best out of social communications and media.
Verzeihung für den Zweiten Weltkrieg
Dec 06, 2004
Kardinal bittet die Niederlande um Verzeihung.
(Radio Vatikan, 24.-26. September 1997) Kardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi aus Tokyo hat bei einer Messe in den Niederlanden, um Verzeihung für die Verbrechen seines Landes im zweiten Weltkrieg gebeten. Japan hatte 1940 Indonesien besetzt, das damals eine niederländische Kolonie war.
Die Isolation der Ausländerinnen, die mit Japanern verheiratet sind
Dec 06, 2004
Aus dem Hirtenbrief von Kardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, Erzbischof von Tokio, „Mitgefühl für den anderen" 1997.
„8. Die Probleme einer Ausländerin bei einer japanischen Familie
Die Probleme, mit denen eine Ausländerin in einer japanischen Familie klarkommen muß, sind so groß, daß wir sie weder auf der pastoralen noch auf der humanitären Ebene außer acht lassen dürfen.
Bi-nationale Ehen neigen zu mehr Schwierigkeiten als Ehen zwischen Menschen derselben Nationalität. Außer den Einschränkungen durch unzureichende Kenntnis der Landessprache haben wir wieder den Unterschied in Kultur und Brauchtum.
Wenn wir das Beispiel einer Frau von den Philippinen nehmen, die mit einem Japaner verheiratet ist, dann können wir uns auf folgendes gefaßt machen. Im allgemeinen ist eine Familie auf den Philippinen eine Großfamilie. Geben und Nehmen spielen eine große Rolle, und es gibt einen ständigen Kommunikationsfluß. In Japan, wo die Familie klein ist und nur wenige Kinder hat, gibt es fast überhaupt keinen Dialog. Das bedeutet, daß sehr häufig die Frau allein im Haus ist und auf einen Ehemann wartet, der spät nach Hause kommt. Ist die Schwiegermutter eine herrische Person, dann wird die junge, ausländische Ehefrau oft in den Streit zwischen ihrem Mann und seiner Mutter hineingezogen. Es gibt auch viele Fälle von Ehemännern, die ihre Frauen schlagen, wenn sie ihren Willen nicht bekommen.
In Margaritas Fall war es folgendermaßen. Sie waren drei Jahre verheiratet, als ihr Mann eines Tages ganz unerwartet erklärte, daß er in eine andere Frau verliebt sei und die Scheidung wolle. Er würde ihr die Reise zurück auf die Philippinen bezahlen. Das ging ohne jedes Gespräch vor sich. Nach langem Hin und Her wurden sie geschieden, aber die Demütigung, die diese Frau seit der Zeit ihrer Ehe bis zum Scheidungstag erduldete, ist für uns Japaner kaum zu verstehen.
In einigen Familien, in denen die Ehefrau keine engen Freunde oder irgend jemand hat, den sie um Rat fragen kann, wird es für sie unmöglich werden, den Druck auszuhalten, und sie wird schließlich einen geistigen und körperlichen Zusammenbruch erleiden. Die Fälle von Frauen, die zu Drogen oder zum Alkohol greifen, nehmen zu. Wir wissen auch von Menschen, deren ganze Persönlichkeit zerbrach. Glücklicherweise kannte Margarita eine Ordensschwester, die sie um Rat fragen konnte, und sie hatte Freunde in der Kirche. Sie waren ihre Rettung.
Ich bitte euch, habt doch ein Wort übrig für jene Ausländerinnen, die hier mit Japanern verheiratet sind, und überlegt, wie ihr auch nur ein bißchen die Not und die Isolation erleichtern könnt, die sie durchmachen."
Cardinal Seiichi Shirayanagi about Nikkyo Niwano
Dec 06, 2004
Founder of the Buddhist Lay Movement, Rissho Kosei Kai. A pioneer in inter-faith dialogue for peace among peoples.
(focolare.org, 02-03-2002) "Nikkyo Niwano was a man of faith who had a great vision for the future. His death is an immense loss for world religions."
With these words, the Cardinal of Tokyo, Cardinal Seiichi Shirayanagi, paid homage to the founder of Rissho Kosei Kai. He was speaking in a great Buddhist temple filled to capacity with thousands of people, among whom were religious and civic dignitaries, including the Japanese Prime Minister, Keizo Obuchi.
The Cardinal continued: "He was not only respected by all but he was also greatly loved because he had always loved. When Nikkyo Niwano founded the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) 30 years ago, it seemed impossible to bring together representatives of different faiths to work for peace. But he succeeded in doing so."
The Cardinal was moved when he pointed out that the day of Nikkyo Niwano‚s death, 4th October, coincided with the feast day of St Francis, the saint of peace. And on reading the words of St Francis‚ Peace Prayer, he applied them to him.
GIAPPONE: MORTO SHIRAYANAGI, CARDINALE DEL SOL LEVANTE
„Kleiner Kardinal mit dem großen Herzen“
Late Japanese cardinal remembered for peace efforts