Here is quite a confusing headline: Pope Benedict Martyrs Austrian Beheaded by Nazis
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI approved recognition of martyrdom for an Austrian who was beheaded by the Nazis for refusing to serve in Hitler’s army, a step toward possible sainthood.
…Benedict also approved martyrdom Friday for 188 Japanese who were decapitated, burned at the stake or scalded to death in volcanic hot springs in the early 1700s. Among them was a Jesuit priest, Peter Kibe, a convert to Christianity whose work as a missionary was opposed by authorities.
He and the other Japanese died for refusing to renounce their faith.
10 comments
“It is sad that those Japanese martyrs’ sacrifice did not seem to act like a mustard seed leading to a large tree since Catholicism is still tiny in Japan…”
It just needs more time, I think. After all, free Christianity in Japan is relatively young, just as non-isolationist Japan is relatively young.
I had to read it 3 times! Headline writers should get someone else to read them to see if they make sense.
Reminds me of all the Nazi cracks when Benedict was elected; this kind of thing wouldn’t help his image at all (assuming anyone could noodle out just what had happened). No doubt some poor soul is asking “How do you further make a martyr out of someone dead?”
It is sad that those Japanese martyrs’ sacrifice did not seem to act like a mustard seed leading to a large tree since Catholicism is still tiny in Japan…one percent I believe. However by God’s standards perhaps He sees that a large tree did come there in quality if not quantity.
Wonderful, wonderful news about Jagerstaetter! I have often said that he would not get on the track to sainthood until every last person who knew him when he was alive has passed on because his countrymen were so embarrassed that only ONE Catholic out of the millions drafted into Hitler’s army refused to serve that evil cause.
For those not familiar with him, Jagerstaetter’s life and thoughts are beautifully described in Gordon Zahn’s biography, “In Solitary Witness.” Jagerstaetter was not a well educated man, but his reflections on the Catholic faith are brilliant. The connection he makes between the practice of abortion in Germany and the violence of the Hitler regime is evidence enough to make him a saint.
Well, as regards Catholicism in Japan – I have been to Mass at a large church in Tokyo – VERY well attended.
I was surprised to find out there were as many as 500,000 Christians in Japan before the persecutions began, which being the 16th century is a very large number
Nagasaki had the largest population of Catholics before WWII, and they prayed that God would use them to help end the war… so there are a lot of Japanese Catholics in heaven now.
I’m living in Japan right now, and though few in number are very devout. Always people going to confession and daily Mass. Makes me sad to have to leave.
That headline is confusing-are there any proofreaders in the house?
Wonderful news to read about Franz Jaegerstetter. I’ve read some accounts of his life. Shows how not all Germans supported the Nazis!