Peter Shirayanagi

Peter Seiichi Cardinal Shirayanagi (Japaneseペテロ 白柳 誠一, Petero Shirayanagi Seiichi; born June 17, 1928 in Hachioji, Japan, † December 30, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan) was Archbishop of Tokyo.

Life

Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi received after studying philosophy and Catholic theology at Sophia University in Tokyo on December 21, 1954, the sacrament of Holy Orders. He then completed a postgraduate degree in canon law and in 1960 he was awarded a PhD thesis on De Systemate regionis Missionalis in Iponia ( "On the system of the mission area in Japan " ) at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome for Dr. iur. can. doctorate.

On March 15, 1966 Pope Paul VI appointed him. Titular Bishop of Atenia and auxiliary bishop in Tokyo. He received his episcopal consecration on May 8, 1966 Archbishop Mario Cagna, the apostolic Internuncio in Japan; Were co-consecrators Lawrence Satoshi Nagae, Bishop of Urawa, and Lucas Katsusaburo Arai, Bishop of Yokohama. His motto was " Caritas Christi urget Nos " ( The love of Christ urges us ).

On November 15, 1969, he was appointed coadjutor in Tokyo and was appointed Titular Archbishop of Castro di Puglia. Finally, Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi was appointed in 1970 to the Archbishop of Tokyo. Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi was president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan by 1983 until 1992.

Pope John Paul II took Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi 1994 as cardinal priest with the titular church Sant'Emerenziana a goal Fiorenza to the College of Cardinals. He participated in the conclave of 2005; 2008 Cardinal Shirayanagi reached the age limit and retired from among the voting for election of a pope cardinals.

He died in a nursing home of the Jesuits in Tokyo to a heart attack. He was buried on 4 January 2010 at the Cathedral of Tokyo, in the presence of 19 bishops and about 180 priests and thousands of faithful.

Work

He was involved as chief shepherd of the consistent implementation of the results of the Second Vatican Council, with him to improve the cooperation of priests and lay people was a particular concern.

He founded the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Japanese Bishops' Conference. Many years he was chairman of the commission for social engagement that began with issues such as the plight of refugees, the basic policy for foreign aid and the Church against the discriminatory legislation. He also initiated a number of initiatives to support the Church in Myanmar and the PRC. His peace policy led in Japan to introduce the annual 1983 Week for Peace in Japan.

The friendly relationship between the Archdiocese of Tokyo and Cologne, he gave a new impetus. Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi was since 1963, the year honorary member and spiritual companion of the Catholic fraternity AV Edo - Tokyo Rhenaniastraße, a Cartellverband the Catholic German student connections and especially the AV Rheinstein Cologne befriended connection.