ASIA/JAPAN - The Pope accepts resignation of Bishop of Kagoshima and appoints successor

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 3 December 2005 accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Kagoshima (Japan) presented by Bishop Paul Shinichi Itonaga in conformity with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
The Holy Father appointed Bishop of Kagoshima (Japan) Rev. Paul Kenjiro Koriyama parish priest at Shibushi.
The Bishop elect Paul Kenjiro Koriyama was born on 20 August 1942 at Amamioshima, diocese of Kagoshima. He studied in Japan and in the Philippines at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila. He was ordained a priest 20 March 1972 for the diocese of Kagoshima. He has since been: assistant priest and parish priest, director of the parish kindergarten, director of the diocesan branch of "Sodan Denwa" (type of ‘Samaritan help line’) and family and youth pastoral. Since 2001 he has been parish priest at Shibushi and a member of the diocesan Council of Priests.
The diocese of Kagoshima created in 1955 is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Nagasaki. It has an area of 9,133 sq. km, a population of 1,773,000 including 9,287 Catholics gathered in 29 parishes assisted by 46 priests (21 diocesan and 25 religious) and 187 women religious. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 5/12/2005; Righe 15; Parole 192)