Essay

This past May 16^th -18^th, I attended the diocese service of the 145^th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Hokkaido along with their Minister’s Association.  I gave a lecture during the Minister’s Association and a sermon at the diocese service, and was able to understand from experience the atmosphere of the Diocese of Hokkaido.  I reported a bit about the Diocese of Chubu as well.  There are often difficulties in understanding other dioceses, but I felt that we might be able to better understand each other through these exchanges no matter how small it is. 

In fact, there had been a relation between the Diocese of Hokkaido and Diocese of Chubu during the early missionary stage.  The missionary activities of the Diocese of Chubu were started in 1875 in Niigata through P.K. Fyson, a missionary from the Church of England who later became the first bishop to the Diocese of Hokkaido.  Therefore, it can be said that the two dioceses of Chubu and Hokkaido are connected through the works of Revd. Fyson. 

Revd. Fyson engaged in mission work for seven years in Niigata, and it is noted in “The History of the Diocese” that there were about ten baptismal candidates.   One of them was Revd. Tetsuya Makioka, who had later worked in Chubu, and the other was Mr. Seigoro Akutagawa, who later became a missionary to the Diocese of Hokkaido.  He also worked on Ainu missionary under Revd. Batchelor.  That is one relation we have between the Diocese of Hokkaido and Chubu.  (I also had the privilege of meeting the grandchildren of Mr. Akutagawa.)  I am grateful to such a precious experience.       

The Commemorative Holy Eucharist for the ministers of the Diocese who have passed away will be held on July 10.  That day marks the 1^st memorial year since the passing away of Bishop Toshiaki Mori.  His wife, Atsuko, and younger sister and younger brother are also scheduled to attend.  Since the Bishop’s funeral had been held in Tokyo, this day will also be taken as a memorial service.  I hope you will all join us on this day.

This past April 18, on Holy Thursday, the Holy Eucharist was held to consecrate holy oils.  The holy oil is used for anointing during the “Ceremony of the Visitation of the Sick” in the Book of Common Prayer.  The Book of Common Prayer says, “the Church has been anointing the sick with oil and has prayed for the recovery of the body and the spirit,” but it actually comes from the Book of James in the New Testament, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”  The gospels also tell about the healing of the sick by the apostles through the anointing of the oil; this is one of the important works of Jesus Christ. 

The purpose of anointing is to give comfort, but in many cases, it is practiced when a person is in a state of a serious health condition.  Although used in some cases, it should by no means be used as an anointing of the dying.  Its purpose is to pray for the recovery of the body and soul, and may be used for any illnesses.  It may also be used when one has a fever from a cold.  Anointing is not magic.  The importance is to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus.  He will be with us through that prayer and give strength for the sick to become better physically and spiritually to be able to rise.  May the holy oil be widely used.

On April 6, the retired Revd. Akira Muraoka who was living in Osaka, passed away at the age of 91.  He transferred from the Diocese of Osaka to the Diocese of Chubu in 1986, and practiced his missionary and pastoral activities mainly in Ueda and Karuizawa.  He also built the foundation for the current Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church.  May his soul rest in peace.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

At the end of February, a rector of another diocese who was two years my senior in theological school, passed away.  I was able to make arrangements to attend the wake.  We were together in school for only one year and moved on to different dioceses, so we did not have much opportunity to see each other.  We were not so close, yet he was a person who made me able to feel that closeness, where we would naturally confirm each other’s well-being when we occasionally met.  It was only one theological school year, but the experience of being within the same time and place may have created this sense of proximity.
 

The other day, when I went to service at the church whereI am in charge of, a certain elderly person consulted with me whether she should further attend church services.  It seems she has been suffering from a mild hearing loss, and it has become difficult for her to hear the sermons.  I understand that she feels a certain amount of inconvenience not being able to hear the sermons clearly, but I asked her to continue attending the services for it is a place where God and Jesus are together with us.  (She is also considering about using hearing aids.)  

Jesus promises, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:20), and in the Old Testament God says, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14) God the Father and Jesus, and of course, the Holy Spirit is there, and with us.

The church, and the service that takes place within, is a space where God is present.   And for us to be present at that place is the best shortcut ever to be able to meet God and Jesus and to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

On the 16^th of last month, an ordination of the two candidates for the Holy Orders, Reiko Yamato and Takaaki Yamato, was held.  According to the Acts of Apostles, deacon is a duty which arose from food distribution problems.  Greek-speaking Jewish Christians complained to Hebrew-speaking Jewish Christians about the less amount of food being distributed to the widows of their companions.  The post of the deacon was placed to deal with this problem.  How to equally distribute food.  That was the immediate task of a deacon.  It was an extremely realistic duty.

That reminds me of the story of “Taikobo” posted on a certain information magazine in Ueda City.  According to the Chinese story, back when Zhou, the King of China, was talking to one old fisherman of extreme erudition, the King realized that this man indeed was who his father, King Taiko, had looked forward to meeting someday.  Therefore, he called him “Taikobo” (Taiko=the name of the King’s father; bo=look forward to), his teacher, and respected the man.  Since then, a person who fishes is called “Taikobo.”

However, it is said there is another story to the history of Taikobo that he was a butcher.  Watching him carve and serve meat to about ten people, Taiko was very pleased and employed him.  In those days, a cook who can properly distribute meat was much respected.

Considering that the origin of deacons come from how fairly food was shared, it is quite interesting that the story overlaps with the that of Taikobo as a cook.  Regardless of food, it is quite difficult to maintain fairness, especially among people, if anything.  I hope the two newly ordained deacons be filled with “spirit and wisdom” as were the first deacons and be able to sufficiently fulfill their important duties.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

Last December 1, the 20^th Anniversary Service of the Ordination of Women as Priests was held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Diocese of Tokyo.  Usually, it is rare that women priests come together all at once, so it was quite spectacular.  I was again reminded of how many women priests we have in Nippon Sei Ko Kai and felt reassured.

The Reverend Canon Terrie Robinson from the Church of England (Director for Women in Church and Society at the Anglican Communion Office) gave the sermon and spoke of several points.  The ones which especially struck me were …

“We (women) have come from a place of exile, a place where we were not permitted to serve God fully as witnesses…but, this will help us to understand the individual who is classed by others as an ‘outsider’.  This will help us to stand in solidarity with any community in our world that is pushed to the margins,” “As Christians, we know that…transformation requires a willingness…to let go of old certainties so that we are able to grasp what is new and full of possibility,” “In all our Churches around the Anglican Communion, changes in practice, including steps towards women’s ordination, have often been accompanied by anxiety and fear.  Sometimes we need to let go of old ways of thinking and behaving…so that we are free to discover and grasp the truth that shall make us free.”  And lastly the Reverend’s closing words were, “Do not fear! Dare to sing a new song to the Lord!” 

I believe that everyone is invited to do service.  Fear comes with change.  However, when you believe in God and take in that change with prayers and courage, the grace of God full of blessing will be given.  I think the ordination of women priests teaches us this fact.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

The title phrase comes from a TV advertising campaign promoting people to go have cancer checkups.  In the TV commercial, the husband and wife are playing tennis, and the husband says, “In the event that I develop cancer…”  Then the wife clearly replies by saying, “Not in the event that, but it’s half and half.” 

Today, one out of two people develop cancer, and one out of three die from cancer.  In that sense, it can be said that anyone can get cancer, but the question is, will we be able to calmly cope with it if we are diagnosed with cancer?  Probably not.  And, it is questionable whether cancer may be cured easily.  Even after surgery or ending medicinal treatments, patients must continue checking their progress over a period of several years.  They also must deal with the possibility of recurrence and other matters which may be stressful. 

There are several people around me who are going through this.  They are all receiving treatments and are positively leading their daily lives.  I send my warmest regards to them all.

It is best if no one becomes ill, but we cannot help it as long as we are human.  A famous actress, Kirin Kiki, who passed away recently, had said, “If illness is evil and health is good, life would be no fun.”  I truly feel the same way.  Illness is of course not evil, and it is not of a negative matter in life. 

Jesus said to the blind men “the works of God might be displayed,” and he touched and healed people with leprosy.  Jesus became deeply involved with our illness and gave us encouragement and healing.  I would like to remember that Jesus watches over us. 

It is “not in an event that… but it’s half and half.”  Therefore, let’s get ourselves over to the doctor’s office for a checkup.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

On September 8, the ordination of Bishop-elect, Revd. Ignacio Osamu Irie, was held, and he was installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Yokohama.  For this, my duty as bishop in charge has been relieved, and even though it was only a 5 months-term, I am thankful for the valuable experience I have gained.  Bishop Irie is a person deeply involved with the Diocese of Chubu, so I am hoping that some sort of collaboration develops between the Diocese of Chubu and Diocese of Yokohama.  I pray for God’s blessing and guidance on the new start of the Diocese of Yokohama.

On a different note, in late August, I attended the “Bonfire 2018” organized by Gifu Associa. It was the 47th workshop on marriage for the visually impaired.  Many people from all over the country participated from Okinawa in the south to Hokkaido in the north.

The female secretary general of the Gifu Prefectural Society for Visually Impaired Welfare participated as a guest, and I was startled by the words in her greeting.  She especially asked the male participants to “not look for your mother’s substitute in your partner, but as the woman you will be with for the rest of your life.” 

I felt as if I heard a silent voice from the many people who were there, especially from women participants saying “that’ s right.”  I thought I was the only one who had felt this, but I later heard that the Director of Gifu Associa had felt the same way.

It is not important what your gender is, whether you have a disability or not, or even whether you are “productive” or not.  We are all a unique existence as one individual.  Do not place someone else in the figure, but see that person as who he or she is.  Accept one’s uniqueness.  Her greeting made me realize these, once again.

The Rt Revd Peter Ichiro Shibusawa

The former bishop of the Diocese of Chubu, Rev. Francis Toshiaki Mori, passed away on July 10, 2018.  When I had received notice from the Diocese of Tokyo Management Bishop Katsuichi Hirota, I was so shocked that I asked without even thinking, “Is it true?”  Rev. Mori had felt something wrong with his foot so he had gotten himself over to the orthopedic clinic; this is where he collapsed.  He was taken to the Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine on an ambulance but passed away due to retroperitoneal hemorrhage at the age of 78.

The funeral, as it had already been discussed with his wife, Atsuko, prior to his death, was held with only family members at Mejiro Seikokai on July 12.  I made a visit to see his wife, Atsuko, at a later date and when I gave my prayers then, I was shown the pictures from the funeral.  It was a very simple, yet a neat funeral service, most suited for Bishop Mori. 

During the Bishop’s lifetime, he had said that he didn’t think well about the word “to die,” but rather preferred the expression “be called to.”  I would like to think of his passing away as something far beyond our thoughts and deep within the heart of God.

Bishop Mori had been the Diocesan Bishop from March 1998 to December 2009.  During those years, he played an important role in the missionary and the pastoral care of the diocese such as building of the Diocesan Center of Chubu, the formation of a collaborative relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Central Philippines, the establishment of Kani Missionary Station (the current Kani Holy Trinity Church), the 90^th anniversary memorial service of the diocese establishment, and the reorganization of the group. 

In addition, it was a commemorative decision of Bishop Mori to have ordained the first ever Nippon Sei Ko Kai female priest, Rev. Yoshiko Shibukawa. 

My appreciation towards the works done by Bishop Mori, and I pray for the repose of his soul and may there be comfort to his family.

The Ministry Council was held in Matsushiro in June.  Reverend Osamu Irie (Chairperson of the Diocese of Yokohama Standing Committee, Bishop elected-to-be) and Reverend Ken Katayama (General Secretary of the Diocese of Yokohama) from the Diocese of Yokohama participated in the meeting. 

As I have mentioned about it in this column previously, the Diocese of Chubu was founded after separating from the Diocese of Yokohama.  However, I feel as though there has been a slight lack of relationship between the two.  We have had two joint Minister’s Meetings with the Diocese of Yokohama since I have become a minister.  The first was during the years of Bishop Jyuji Uematsu and Bishop Katsuhiko Iwai, and the meeting was held in June 1981 in Karuizawa.  The second was in November 2007 at Seisen-Ryo in Kiyosato.  This was during the years of Bishop Toshiaki Mori and Bishop Satoru Endo. Having these two clergymen join the Ministry Council, putting aside whether this might or might not lead to an immediate exchange, was a good opportunity.  I believe the two being together with the ministers of Chubu, allowed them to get a feeling of the Diocese of Chubu.  Myself, as the Bishop in Management, had the opportunity to take part in the Diocese of Yokohama Standing Committee Meeting and the Minister’s Meeting which allowed me to directly experience the atmosphere of Yokohama.  I feel it is important to experience directly on site to show understanding in each other.

May was a month of both joy and sorrow.  On May 1, I attended the ordination ceremony of Reverend Nestor Poltic, the third Bishop to the Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines, which has a sister relation to our diocese.  The current Prime Bishop Joel Pachao, who was the former Bishop, had resided as bishop for over twenty years; this seemed to have caused a slight uncertainty in the ordination being the first in a while.  However, the excitement seemed to have been much more than that.

Bishop Poltic respectfully stated that he is still in the process of learning even after becoming the bishop.  He hopes to visit Japan someday, and in such opportunity, I hope he will be able to visit places including the church in Kani City to give words of encouragement to the people there.

Actually, I had been worried about Revd. Akira Aizawa’s condition not being well since a few days ago on my visit to the Philippines.  He passed away on May 11, just ten days after my return.  We worked together for over forty years, and he has supported me at services and given me advice since I had become a bishop.  I give my deepest condolences and may his spirit rest in peace. Holy Mass was dedicated upon the 120^th Anniversary of Nagano Holy Savior’s Church on May 20.  While giving the service, my thoughts were upon the consecration 120 years ago.  I strongly felt the need to learn from Rev. Waller’s fighting spirit on constructing a cathedral during Meiji Era, when people were still strongly biased against Christians, even in Monzenmachi, a leading area in Japan.  We would also like to express our gratitude to the Holy Mass given with the prominent keyboard performer Genzo Takehisa.