For the Church, ‘even Europe today is becoming a periphery,’ says cardinal-elect Kikuchi

The archbishop of Tokyo and president of Caritas Internationalis, chosen by Pope Francis as one of the new cardinals, invites us to look at the mission of the Church as an exchange of gifts. Today, “many countries in Asia and Africa give missionaries to the world.” Together with the archbishop of Belgrade, the archbishop of Tokyo will be the first Verbite cardinal since Card Thomas Tien, the archbishop of Beijing who was the very first Verbite appointed cardinal by Pius XII in 1946.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo spoke at today’s daily briefing on the work of the Synod underway in the Vatican. His name is on the list of 21 cardinals-elect in the next consistory set for 8 December, Pope Francis announced on Sunday at the Angelus.

"The mission today is an exchange of gifts between Churches, between those who have and those who have not,” the prelate said in his address. “Before, it was from West to East, now many countries in Asia and Africa give missionaries to the world. The very concept of periphery is changing, and even Europe today is becoming a periphery.”

In addition to the Archdiocese of Tokyo, the 65-year-old Kikuchi has chaired Caritas Internationalis since last year.

Pope Francis “has just come to our continent where he has visited many countries," he said, stressing how the pontiff looks with particular attention to Asia. “He has chosen three more bishops from Asian dioceses among the new cardinals. More generally, the centre of the Church's mission is moving towards the Global South.”

On the experience of synodality, the prelate explained that the Japanese Church is focusing "more on its foundations than on the rush to build."

"We met with priests, religious and lay people for the National Congress of our 15 dioceses. We practised together the method of conversation in the Spirit. We also need a common understanding of synodality,” which “is not basing everything on consensus. Common discernment must indicate the direction, then someone has the task of making decisions.”

Archbishop Kikuchi had already written on his appointment as a cardinal on Sunday in a message sent to his diocese and to all his friends.

“This appointment is not just a personal honour for me, but a great honour for the Church in Japan, and especially for the Tokyo Archdiocese, and also for Caritas Internationalis,” he said.

“I was surprised. It had been a long time since I was so shocked from the bottom of my heart. And I was confused. When I think about the fact that being a cardinal is not just an honorary position, but that there are many roles to play as an advisor to the Pope, I can only see my own shortcomings.”

In his message, Kikuchi also stressed the fact that another Verbite, Archbishop Ladislav Nemet, will be with him as one of the new cardinals of the consistory of 8 December.

“Archbishop Nemet of Belgrade, Serbia, is a brother member whom I have known for a long time. Next year, the Society of the Divine Word will celebrate its 150th anniversary. In its 150-year history, there has only been one cardinal, Thomas Tian, ​​who was the Archbishop of Beijing and passed away in 1967.”

Pope Pius XII made Tien a cardinal in 1946. He was later forced into exile in 1951 after the advent of the communist regime in China.

Finally, the archbishop of Tokyo, who is also secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), mentioned the presence of Philippine Bishop Pablo David among the new cardinals. He “will be the next FABC vice president (in January 2025 alongside the new president, Card Felipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa). I believe this appointment will have great significance for the FABC.”

• vatican
• japan
• archbishop
• tarcisius kikuchi
• synod
• consistory
• 8 december
• verbites