Peter Takeo Okada
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the current archbishop of Tokyo
.
Okada was born in Ichikawa
in Chiba Prefecture
. 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 the following 16 September from Peter Seiichi Cardinal Shirayanagi, with Archbishops Paul Hisao Yasuda
and Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto serving as co-consecrators
.
Following the early resignation of Cardinal Shirayanagi, he was appointed archbishop of Tokyo
on 17 February 2000. His installation took place on the following 3 September. In addition to his role as Archbishop, he is president of the Japanese bishops' conference
.
According to reports, Archbishop Okada was likely to be made a cardinal
by Pope Benedict XVI
at a consistory in November 2010. However he was not among the cardinals that were created during the consistory of 20 November that year, though is thought to be on the list for the next consistory in 2012.
In February 2011 Archbishop Okada in defending the rejection of the Neocatechumenal Way in Japanese dioceses 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."
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the current archbishop of Tokyo
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tokyo is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Japan. It was erected as the Apostolic Vicariate of Japan on May 1, 1846 by Pope Gregory XVI, and its name was later changed by Pope Pius IX to the Apostolic Vicariate of...
.
Okada was born in Ichikawa
Ichikawa, Chiba
is a city located in northwest Chiba, Japan, approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The city was founded on November 3, 1934. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 474,586 and a density of 8,259.42 persons per km². The total area is 57.46 km²...
in Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 3 November 1973. On 15 April 1991, he was appointed bishop of Urawa by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following 16 September from Peter Seiichi Cardinal Shirayanagi, with Archbishops Paul Hisao Yasuda
Paul Hisao Yasuda
Paul Hisao Yasuda, is a Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.Yasuda was born in Kurume, Japan and was ordained a priest on May 21, 1955. He was appointed Auxiliary bishop of the Archidocese of Osaka on February 5, 1970 as well as titular bishop of Tucci and was ordained bishop on March 21,...
and Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
.
Following the early resignation of Cardinal Shirayanagi, he was appointed archbishop of Tokyo
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tokyo is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Japan. It was erected as the Apostolic Vicariate of Japan on May 1, 1846 by Pope Gregory XVI, and its name was later changed by Pope Pius IX to the Apostolic Vicariate of...
on 17 February 2000. His installation took place on the following 3 September. In addition to his role as Archbishop, he is president of the Japanese bishops' conference
Episcopal Conference
In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the bishops of a given territory...
.
According to reports, Archbishop Okada was likely to be made a cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
at a consistory in November 2010. However he was not among the cardinals that were created during the consistory of 20 November that year, though is thought to be on the list for the next consistory in 2012.
In February 2011 Archbishop Okada in defending the rejection of the Neocatechumenal Way in Japanese dioceses said "the Way’s
Neocatechumenal Way
The Neocatechumenal Way, also known as the Neocatechumenate, NC Way or, colloquially, The Way or The Neocats is an itinerary within the Catholic Church dedicated to the Christian formation of adults...
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
Roman Catholicism in Japan
The Roman Catholic Church in Japan is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are approximately 509,000 Catholics in Japan—just under 0.5% of the total population. There are 16 dioceses, including three archdioceses with 1589...
". 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."