Peter Shirayanagi

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Peter Shirayanagi

Role / Field:

Japanese Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Tokyo and was elevated to Cardinal.

Born:

1928-06-17

Died:

2009-12-30

Century / Era:

1928s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi (白柳 誠一 Shirayanagi Seiichi; 17 June 1928 – 30 December 2009) was a Japanese Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Tokyo from 1970 to 2000. He was made a cardinal in 1994, and also served as head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan from 1983 to 1992. Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan, 17 June 1928. Shirayanagi studied at Sophia University, earning a degree in philosophy in 1951 and a specialization in theology in 1954. Ordained a priest on 21 December 1954 at Kanda Catholic Cathedral.

Career & Major Achievements

From 1954 to 1957 he served in pastoral ministry in the archdiocese of Tōkyō. He then went to study at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, earning a doctorate in Canon law in 1960. Consecrated titular Bishop of Atenia and Auxiliary of Tokyo in 1966, he was named titular Archbishop of Castro and Coadjutor Archbishop of the Tokyo Archdiocese in 1969, and succeeded to the post of Archbishop of Tokyo in 1970. He attended the Second Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Vatican City, from 30 September to 6 November 1971. As archbishop, he was representative director of the Juridical Foundation of Tokyo Caritas House.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He continued the Tokyo Archdiocesan Convention, implementing the decrees of the Second Vatican Council. From 1983 to 1992, he presided over the Japanese Catholic Bishops' conference, which opened the Japanese Catholic Center in Tokyo in 1990. Also in 1990 the Archbishop told the Italian periodical 30 Giorni, that "the events of Akita are no longer to be taken seriously." In 1981, Archbishop Shirayanagi organized events connected to the first papal visit to Japan. In 1989 he led a group to visit the Catholic Church in China. In 1994, Pope John Paul II created him a Cardinal with the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1928 (1928-06-17): Birth of Peter Shirayanagi — Japanese Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Tokyo and was elevated to Cardinal.
2. 1951: 1951 Milestone — Shirayanagi studied at Sophia University, earning a degree in philosophy in 1951 and a specialization in theology in 1954.
3. 1954: 1954 Milestone — Ordained a priest on 21 December 1954 at Kanda Catholic Cathedral.
4. 1960: 1960 Milestone — He then went to study at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, earning a doctorate in Canon law in 1960.
5. 1966: 1966 Milestone — Consecrated titular Bishop of Atenia and Auxiliary of Tokyo in 1966, he was named titular Archbishop of Castro and Coadjutor Archbishop of the Tokyo Archdiocese in 1969, and succeeded to the post of Archbishop of Tokyo in 1970.
6. 1971: 1971 Milestone — He attended the Second Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Vatican City, from 30 September to 6 November 1971.
7. 1981: 1981 Milestone — " In 1981, Archbishop Shirayanagi organized events connected to the first papal visit to Japan.
8. 1983: 1983 Milestone — From 1983 to 1992, he presided over the Japanese Catholic Bishops' conference, which opened the Japanese Catholic Center in Tokyo in 1990.
9. 1989: 1989 Milestone — In 1989 he led a group to visit the Catholic Church in China.
10. 1990: 1990 Milestone — Also in 1990 the Archbishop told the Italian periodical 30 Giorni, that "the events of Akita are no longer to be taken seriously.
11. 1994: 1994 Milestone — He was made a cardinal in 1994, and also served as head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan from 1983 to 1992.
12. 2009 (2009-12-30): Passing & Historical Legacy — Peter Shirayanagi passed away on 2009-12-30, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Peter Shirayanagi

“the events of Akita are no longer to be taken seriously.” (1990)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Peter Shirayanagi

True or False: “Peter Shirayanagi was only involved in the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He participated as one of the cardinal electors during the 2005 papal conclave.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Peter Shirayanagi