December 2009

Former Religions for Peace Japan President Cardinal Shirayanagi Dies

The Roman Catholic emeritus archbishop of Tokyo, Peter Cardinal Seiichi Shirayanagi, died of cardiac arrest December 30 at Loyola House, a home for aged Jesuit priests in Kamishakujii, Tokyo, at the age of 81. He served as the second president of the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. After hearing of the cardinal's death, on December 31 President Nichiko Niwano offered his condolences at the rectory adjacent to St. Mary's Cathedral in Mejiro, Tokyo, where the cardinal lay in state. On January 5, President Niwano attended the Requiem Mass for Cardinal Shirayanagi in St. Mary's Cathedral and gave a eulogy in his capacity as president of Religions for Peace Japan. Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of Rissho Kosei-kai's board of trustees, and Rev. Takeshi Kawabata, director of the organization's General Affairs Bureau, also attended. In his eulogy, President Niwano praised Cardinal Shirayanagi for his long dedication to the activities of Religions for Peace Japan and expressed appreciation for the cardinal's influence in prompting Japanese religious leaders to furnish international perspectives in their work for peace.

Cardinal Shirayanagi graduated from Sophia University, Tokyo, and was ordained a priest in 1954. He went to study at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he received a doctorate in canon law. He became a bishop in 1966 and was ordained archbishop of Tokyo in 1970. In 1994 he was proclaimed a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, making him the fourth cardinal from Japan.

With his warmheartedness grounded in deep faith, Cardinal Shirayanagi was a spiritual pillar for the Catholic faithful in Japan. He was loved by many other people outside the Catholic Church for his gentle and approachable personality. He consistently promoted endeavors for peace, as one of the three representatives of the Jubilee 2000 Japan and leading a signature campaign for disarmament, as well as through many other activities.

He also played a pivotal role in interreligious dialogue and cooperation, while serving as a bridge between the Vatican and Japanese religious organizations. From 1996 to 2005 he served as the president of the Japanese Committee of Religions for Peace, succeeding Founder Nikkyo Niwano of Rissho Kosei-kai.

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