Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka

Role / Field:

Japanese Catholic prelate who served as Prefect and Bishop of Nagoya.

Born:

1887-03-21

Died:

1980-08-06

Century / Era:

1887s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka (ペトロ松岡孫四郎, Matsuoka Magoshiro; March 03, 1887—August 08, 1980) was a Japanese prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of Nagoya from 1945, and consecrated Bishop in 1962 when the prefecture was elevated to diocese. He served as Bishop of Nagoya until his retirement in 1969. Magoshiro Matsuoka was born in Urakami (now part of the city of Nagasaki).

Career & Major Achievements

Matsuoka's family practiced Christianity in secret, facing constant persecution and were exiled from their home in 1868 during the fourth Christian purge, escaping to Tsuwano, Shimane until 1873. Named for his grandfather who died in exile in Tsuwano, Matsuoka entered the Catholic school at Ōura in 1901 and was ordained to the priesthood on February 21, 1918. Matsuoka first served as pastor of the Magome Church on Iojima Island, and was appointed to the Apostolic prefecture of Niigata and the Apostolic prefecture of Nagoya in 1941, where he served concurrently as Apostolic Administrator. In 1945, Matsuoka was elevated to prefect of both.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Matsuoka resigned as prefect of Niigata in 1953 to concentrate on the construction of a new reinforced concrete cathedral (St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral) and the Kogami School in Nagoya. Upon Nagoya's elevation to Diocese, Matsuoka received his episcopal consecration on June 3, 1962 at the brand new St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral from Apostolic Internuncio in Japan, Archbishop Domenico Enrici, with Archbishop Paul Aijirô Yamaguchi and Bishop Paul Yoshigoro Taguchi, as co-consecrators. Matsuoka participated in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. Following his retirement from Nagoya in June 1969, he served as Titular Bishop of Belli and Bishop Emeritus of Nagoya.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1868: 1868 Milestone — Matsuoka's family practiced Christianity in secret, facing constant persecution and were exiled from their home in 1868 during the fourth Christian purge, escaping to Tsuwano, Shimane until 1873.
2. 1887 (1887-03-21): Birth of Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka — Japanese Catholic prelate who served as Prefect and Bishop of Nagoya.
3. 1901: 1901 Milestone — Named for his grandfather who died in exile in Tsuwano, Matsuoka entered the Catholic school at Ōura in 1901 and was ordained to the priesthood on February 21, 1918.
4. 1941: 1941 Milestone — Matsuoka first served as pastor of the Magome Church on Iojima Island, and was appointed to the Apostolic prefecture of Niigata and the Apostolic prefecture of Nagoya in 1941, where he served concurrently as Apostolic Administrator.
5. 1945: 1945 Milestone — He served as Prefect of Nagoya from 1945, and consecrated Bishop in 1962 when the prefecture was elevated to diocese.
6. 1953: 1953 Milestone — Matsuoka resigned as prefect of Niigata in 1953 to concentrate on the construction of a new reinforced concrete cathedral (St.
7. 1962: 1962 Milestone — Upon Nagoya's elevation to Diocese, Matsuoka received his episcopal consecration on June 3, 1962 at the brand new St.
8. 1969: 1969 Milestone — He served as Bishop of Nagoya until his retirement in 1969.
9. 1980 (1980-08-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka passed away on 1980-08-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka

True or False: “Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka was ordained to the priesthood immediately after his family settled in Tsuwano following the 1868 purge.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He entered the Catholic school at Ōura in 1901 and was ordained to the priesthood later on February 21, 1918.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexander Archipenko — Contemporary (Born in 1887) (1887): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
• Alexander Borodin — Contemporary (Died in 1887) (1887): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.
• Alexander Woollcott — Contemporary (Born in 1887) (1887): Influential American drama critic, Algonquin Round Table member, and commentator.
• Abby Wambach — Contemporary (Born in 1980) (1980): Iconic American soccer forward, celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and longevity.
• Adande Thorne — Contemporary (Born in 1980) (1980): Trinidadian-American YouTuber, animator, comedian, and actor known as Swoozie.
• Alejo Carpentier — Contemporary (Died in 1980) (1980): Influential Cuban novelist, essayist, and musicologist of the Latin American Boom.
• Abdul Salam Arif — Shared historical date (03-21 · Born) (1921): Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the second president of Iraq.
• Alexander Glazunov — Shared historical date (03-21 · Died) (1936): A leading Russian Romantic composer, known for reconciling nationalism and cosmopolitanism.
• Alexander Bustamante — Shared historical date (08-06 · Died) (1977): Pioneering Jamaican politician, labor leader, and first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica.
• Alexander Fleming — Shared historical date (08-06 · Born) (1881): Pioneering microbiologist known for the discovery of penicillin, revolutionizing medicine.
• 1887 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1887
• March 21 (03-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 21
• 1980 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1980
• August 6 (08-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Peter Magoshiro Matsuoka