Our right to speak for climate justice

A few years ago, Pope Francis challenged those responsible for the well-being of the poor. He established the World Day of the Poor. It is a day that should be stretched into a week, a month or into a year of action challenging and protesting against the root causes of poverty, the most perverse of which are political and corporate corruption that plagues societies. Continue reading

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Tokyo archbishop: It is ‘difficult to find success’ on evangelization in Japan

Tokyo, Japan, Nov 4, 2019 / 05:05 pm (CNA).- Efforts by the Catholic Church to evangelize the Japanese population have frequently collided with roadblocks, according to Archbishop of Tokyo Isao Kikuchi, but the Church is still finding some ways to proclaim the Gospel. The archbishop answered the question from Catholic News Agency on Japan, evangelization, and why breaking through into mainstream Japanese society is so difficult for a religion that has survived persecution and genocide in the country since 1549. Continue reading

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Online Japanese Catholics are looking for a digital shepherd

In the age of mass communication, the Catholic Church is finding previously unimagined opportunities for evangelization – namely, over the internet. However, for the small minority of believers in Japan, the internet is far less connective. Much like their diocese and parishes, which are hardly seen or experienced outside the walls of the Church or rectory, Catholicism has not yet found a way to thrive on the Japanese end of the internet. Continue reading

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Meeting with Bishop J. M. ABELLA

Dear Brothers, God wants us to break away from our ‘comfort zone’ and step out in faith to do what He thinks is best for us. Are we ready to take up this challenge? Continue reading

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It is not just about migrants. It’s also about our fears…

At the request of various bishops’ conferences, Pope Francis has changed the date of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees to the last Sunday of September. The World Day for Migrants and Refugees will be held this Sunday, September 29, 2019. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “It is not just about migrants.” Continue reading

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Extraordinary Missionary Month (EMM): October 2019

Dear Brothers, Hundred years ago, Pope Benedict XV released the encyclical Maximum Illud, which called on Catholics to bring the Good News to all peoples (Missio Ad Gentes). To commemorate this anniversary, Pope Francis has declared October 2019 to be an Extraordinary Month of Mission (EMM). This special month of prayer and action calls us all to renew our missionary commitment. We are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all peoples. Continue reading

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God or Nothing

Dear Friends for Life:  In recent months, newspapers, magazines and news reporting have shown worsening trends regard current life issues. The slippery slope is widening and people’s lives are hurting. God is gradually being removed from society, leaving a road of confusion, suffering and hidden guilt in its wake. Continue reading

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Japanese activists join global climate strike ahead of U.N. summit on global warming

Young people in 117 countries on Friday called on policymakers to take overdue steps against climate change as part of a global strike just days ahead of the United Nations Climate Action Summit set to begin in New York on Monday. Affiliated events organized across Japan on Friday drew more than 5,000 participants, the organizers said. Continue reading

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Season of Creation (Sept. 1 ~ Oct. 4, 2019)

(from Brad Rozairo OMI)  What is the Season of Creation? http://seasonofcreation.org/. The season, which runs yearly between September 1 and October 4 (the feast of St. Francis of Assisi) is that of the year when we renew our commitment to pray and care for creation. Continue reading

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Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki

Dear Brothers,
Every year, August 6 and 9 are two very important days to think about the deep meaning of peace. Many from all over the world visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki to pray and to experience the importance of peace. This opens a ten-day period (August 6 – 15) dedicated to peace, which the Catholic church in Japan holds every year as a time for remembrance and as a call for world peace.
During this time of the year, together with the people we serve, let us reflect, pray and sow the seeds of Peace.
—Bradly Rozairo, OMI

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me

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Fukushima study tour

In early June, ten of us from Osaka went on a study tour to Fukushima. It is more than eight years since the nuclear accident at the Fukushima power station in Japan. This has forced the radiation to evacuate tens of thousands, turning the towns and villages into out-of-zone areas. Today what you see is abandoned houses, weeds around the buildings & along the roads and animals such as boars roam the streets. Continue reading

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2019 Ten Days of Prayer for Peace

A Message from the President of the Catholic Bishops’Conference of Japan Continue reading

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