FABC 2012日本

JAPAN

Some Statistics Religious Men

994 priests

203 brothers

in 44 congregations

Religious Women

5878

in 116 congregations

N.B. Catholics account for 0.4% of the population

Traditional Ministries

Parishes Retreats Education (Kindergarten thru University) Homes for handicapped Children’s homes Homes for the elderly Care of the Sick Media Pastoral care of the dying,

Ministries Responding to Emerging Needs

working with the laity to help: the homeless alcohol, drug dependents counseling for the mentally ill and depressed school refusal syndrome sufferers voluntary shut-ins

March 11th 2011

Earthquake ,Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster

The Church Saw the Face of the Suffering Jesus in the Suffering of His

people, and responded

The Bishops’ Conference

promised financial aid to the two dioceses for the coming 5 years.

agreed that each of the 4 provinces (14 unaffected dioceses) will take responsibility for one area providing priests (on long-term loan)

exempted the two affected dioceses from the regular financial contributions to the Bishops’ Conference for the coming 10 years.

issued a statement asking the government to close down all nuclear power facilities.

The Religious Congregations Provide priests/brothers to serve in the area on short

term/long term basis. Organized a Sisters’ Relay (one year) Set up Inter- congregational communities of sisters in

affected areas, long term service. Sent volunteers (priests, sisters, groups from parishes,

universities, schools) Raised funds and sent relief supplies Offered free places in mission schools to students

form the affected areas

Sisters from various congregations took turns to

be “mothers” for volunteers in Caritas Centers.