ASIA/JAPAN - Japan's 188 martyrs will be Beatified, the country's Catholics overjoyed

Tuesday, 5 June 2007

Tokyo (Fides Service) - Catholics in Japan are celebrating since Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree on June 1 recognising the martyrdom of 188 priests, religious and lay people killed in Japan between 1603 and 1639. The Japanese Bishops will now set the date for the beatification. The beatification cause was opened in 1996, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of a massacre in Nagasaki.
The case of Peter Kassui Kibe and 187 companion martyrs is the first cause for beatification proposed by the Japanese Bishops and it is particularly important for lay Catholics in Japan because most of the 188 martyrs were lay men women and children and only four were priests. They died defending their right to profess their faith in Christ, opposing their persecutors with non violent resistance. “They were not human rights activists or political militants shouting against the regime. They were simply profoundly convinced Christians who were ready to give their lives for their faith. They are an example for all of us ”, the Japanese Bishops affirm.
The Bishops have set up a Commission to plan and prepare a series of initiatives in view of the important event which will be a great opportunity for the Church in Japan to evangelise through witnessing.
Japan's Catholics, 450,000 locally born and 550,000 Catholic immigrants, in a population of 127 million, say the example of the martyrs is encouragement for missionaries and for all Christians in the country. Japan already has Saint Paul Paolo Miki and Companions, Grace Hosawaka, Ludvic Ibaragi, Michael Kozaki and Takayam Ukon. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2007 righe 27 parole 271)


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