Joseph Mitsuaki Takami
Joseph Mitsuaki Takami (born 21 March 1946) is a Japanese prelate of the Catholic Church who served as archbishop of Nagasaki from 2003 to 2021.
Joseph Mitsuaki Takami | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop Emeritus of Nagasaki | |
 | |
| Native name | 高見三明 |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Nagasaki |
| See | Nagasaki |
| Appointed | 17 October 2003 |
| Installed | 14 December 2003 |
| Term ended | 28 December 2021 |
| Predecessor | Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto |
| Successor | Peter Michiaki Nakamura |
| Other post(s) | President of the Japanese Episcopal Conference (2016-) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 20 March 1972 by Joseph Asajiro Satowaki |
| Consecration | 29 April 2002 by Francis Xavier Kaname Shimamoto |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Mitsuaki Takami 21 March 1946 |
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Nagasaki (2002-03) Titular Bishop of Munatiana (2002-03) Vice-President of the Japanese Episcopal Conference (2013-16) |
| Motto | Pro Ecclesia et cum Ecclesia |
| Coat of arms |  |
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Biography
Takami was born in Nagasaki on 21 March 1946. One of his grandmothers, two aunts, and an uncle died when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945.[1] He was ordained a priest on 20 March 1972 and joined the Sulpicians on 29 October 1973.[2]
From 1973 to 1985 he continued his studies in Rome. He obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and another in sacred scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He also studied in Paris and Jerusalem. From 1985 to 2002 he taught dogmatic theology and sacred scripture at the Seminary of Saint Sulpitius in Fukuoka, serving as Vice-Rector (1990-1991) and Rector (1993-1998).[2]
On 7 February 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Nagasaki.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on 29 April 2002.
He was named archbishop of Nagasaki on 17 October 2003[3] and served until Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 28 December 2021.[4]
In 2015, following the first archdiocesan synod, he said the archdiocese was experiencing "a deep sense of crisis" with the "withering and enervation" of the Catholic community that had fallen from 75,000 to 62,000 in 30 years.[5]
He has been president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan since June 2016.[6][7]
Problem in Diocesan Fund
A priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki who is alleged to have misappropriated a total of 250 million yen in diocesan funds without permission, the archdiocese acknowledged the misappropriation and explained the circumstances in its bulletin "Catholic Kyoho" published on September 1, 2020, and the Archbishop stated, "It is all my responsibility and I sincerely apologize."[8]
References
- "Joseph Mitsuaki Takami". Berkley Center at Georgetown University. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 07.02.2002" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 7 February 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 17.10.2003" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 17 October 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Resignations and Appointments, 28.12.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Archbishop says there is a 'deep sense of crisis' in Japanese Church". Herald Malaysia. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Archdiocese of Nagasaki". UCA News. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- "Mgr Michiaki Nakamura becomes the new archbishop of Nagasaki". Herald Malaysia. 30 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- 神父が2.5億円無断流用 高見大司教が謝罪 カトリック長崎 長崎新聞 2020/09/02 [11:00]
External links
- "Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami". Catholic-Hierarchy.
