Peter Takeo Okada
Peter Takeo Okada | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Tokyo | |
| Native name | 岡田 武夫 |
| Archdiocese | Tokyo |
| Appointed | 17 February 2000 |
| Installed | 2000 |
| Term ended | 25 October 2017 |
| Predecessor | Peter Shirayanagi |
| Successor | Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D. |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 3 November 1973 by Peter Shirayanagi |
| Consecration | 16 September 1991 by Peter Shirayanagi |
| Rank | Archbishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 October 1941 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Residence | Tokyo, Japan |
| Previous post(s) | Bishop of Urawa (1991-2000) |
| Alma mater | University of Tokyo |
| Styles of Peter Takeo Okada | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Grace |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | not applicable |
Peter Takeo Okada (岡田 武夫, Okada Takeo, born 24 October 1941) is a Japanese prelate of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Tokyo from 2000 to 2017.
Okada was born in Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture. He graduated from the University of Tokyo with the LL.B. He was ordained a priest on 3 November 1973. On 15 April 1991, he was appointed bishop of Urawa by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on 16 September from Seiichi Shirayanagi, with Archbishops Paul Hisao Yasuda and Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto serving as co-consecrators.
Following the early resignation of Cardinal Shirayanagi, Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Tokyo on June 12, 2000.[1] His installation took place on the following 3 September. He was president of the Japanese bishops' conference.
On October 27, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI named Okada a member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.[2]
In January 2011, the Holy See countermanded the decision of Japan's bishops to suspend the activities of a controversial lay movement, the Neocatechumenal Way, for five years.[3] Okada said he had only minor problems with the Way, but there were major problems in some dioceses. He said: "the Way's activities over the past 30 years can in no way be called a success. The fact is that the character and conduct of the Way have not adapted well to the Church or society of Japan. It is perhaps necessary for the Way in Japan to suspend its activities for a period of consideration and reflection which could pave the way for dialog with the Church in Japan". He continued saying "For thirteen years now, more than 30,000 people a year have committed suicide in Japan. I want the people of the Way to see this reality. I want them to grapple first and foremost with the question of what they can do for these people. If they act in ways that the members of Japanese society can understand and sympathize with, they will surely gain this society's trust. I pray and hope that they will join us in undertaking evangelisation tailored for the needs of the people of Japan."[4]
On July 27, 2013, Pope Francis named him Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Saitama.[5]
Pope Francis accepted his resignation on October 25, 2017, and appointed Bishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D. of the Niigata diocese to succeed him.[6]
References
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 12.06.2000" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. June 12, 2000. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 27.10.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. October 27, 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Holy See overrules Japanese bishops on Neocatechumenal Way". 10 January 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Heading the wrong Way for Japan". Union of Catholic Asian News. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 27.07.2013" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. July 27, 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Pope appoints a new bishop to Archdiocese of Tokyo, Japan". Vatican Radio. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
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