Archbishop of Tokyo Kikuchi becomes a cardinal in Catholic Church

It is our mission to contribute to the development of the world.

Development? More like add more sheep to the cult.

How many Catholics are in Japan?

As of April 2024, there were approximately 419,414 Catholics in Japan, which is about 0.34% of the country's population.

Does someone know if Catolics are the biggest Christian group in Japan?

"It is our mission to contribute to the development of the world." "I also feel there are large expectations (on me) to deliver a message of peace from the Japanese church."

OK, but is that what Catholicism is really about? I thought it was about teaching the gospel to people of all nations, baptising them, and helping them to save their their souls through the sacramental life of the Church. St Francis Xavier or St Paulo Miki would not recognise this new social justice version of Catholicism.

Lord DartmouthDec. 8  09:38 pm JST

"It is our mission to contribute to the development of the world." "I also feel there are large expectations (on me) to deliver a message of peace from the Japanese church."

OK, but is that what Catholicism is really about? I thought it was about teaching the gospel to people of all nations, baptising them, and helping them to save their their souls through the sacramental life of the Church.

The word 'Catholic' means 'universal', and as the world gets 'smaller' it must encompass and include people from all over the world.

Serving the last, the least, and the lost is a meaningful mission. Wishing His Eminence Cardinal Isao Kikuchi strength and stamina in his services to the people of Japan.

Starpunk:

The word 'Catholic' means 'universal', and as the world gets 'smaller' it must encompass and include people from all over the world.

I totally agree, and the Church has done that very successfully for many centuries through its extraordinary missionary activities. Nevertheless, the fundamental meaning of the Church's activities should not be forgotten. She is not in the world primarily to be some kind of club or social activist organisation, but to save souls.