Joseph Mitsuaki Takami

Quick Facts: Who was Joseph Mitsuaki Takami?

Subject:

Joseph Mitsuaki Takami

Known for:

Japanese prelate and Archbishop of Nagasaki, known for his pastoral leadership.

Born:

1946-03-21

Century / Era:

1946s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

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. 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. He was ordained a priest on 20 March 1972 and joined the Sulpicians on 29 October 1973. From 1973 to 1985 he continued his studies in Rome.

Career & Major Achievements

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). On 7 February 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Nagasaki. He received his episcopal consecration on 29 April 2002.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was named archbishop of Nagasaki on 17 October 2003 and served until Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 28 December 2021. 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. He has been president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan since June 2016. A priest in the Catholic Archdiocese of Nagasaki was 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.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1945: 1945 Milestone — One of his grandmothers, two aunts, and an uncle died when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945.
2. 1946 (1946-03-21): Birth of Joseph Mitsuaki Takami — Japanese prelate and Archbishop of Nagasaki, known for his pastoral leadership.
3. 1972: 1972 Milestone — He was ordained a priest on 20 March 1972 and joined the Sulpicians on 29 October 1973.
4. 1973: 1973 Milestone — From 1973 to 1985 he continued his studies in Rome.
5. 1985: 1985 Milestone — 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).
6. 2002: 2002 Milestone — On 7 February 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Nagasaki.
7. 2003: 2003 Milestone — He was named archbishop of Nagasaki on 17 October 2003 and served until Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 28 December 2021.
8. 2015: 2015 Milestone — 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.
9. 2016: 2016 Milestone — He has been president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan since June 2016.
10. 2020: 2020 Milestone — The archdiocese acknowledged the misappropriation and explained the circumstances in its bulletin "Catholic Kyoho" published on September 1, 2020.

Notable Quotes by Joseph Mitsuaki Takami

“It is all my responsibility and I sincerely apologize.” (2020)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Joseph Mitsuaki Takami

True or False: “Joseph Mitsuaki Takami was ordained a priest immediately after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was born in Nagasaki on March 21, 1946, and did not begin his priesthood until 1972.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Joseph Mitsuaki Takami