The Church in Japan

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 27, 2 July 1903, Page 29

The Church in Japan

The visit of the Japanese squadron to Hobart, and the presence at Mass at St. Joseph's Church of a Japanese officer, Lieutenant Yamamoto, recalls some of the memories of the Church in Japan in days long past, and also directs attention to its present position in that progressive country. Japan (says the ' Monitor ') has now entered enthusiastically into Western ways. She has adopted a constitution modelled upon those of England and tho United States, taking the hereditary principle of monarchy from the one, and the system of election to the Senate, as well as to the Lower Chamber, from tho other. Liberty of conscience is the law. There are 60,000 Catholics in the country. Of the clergy at least 30 are natives. Tokio has an Archbishop, and there are four suffragans. Education is a power in public estimation, and of course the teaching congregations of men and women are, as we should expect, well to the front in a brave show of Schools and Colleges. There are four colleges for boys, conducted by tho Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of Mary, with a total of 800 to 1000 boys in residence. The vast majority are from pagan families. No boy is admitted to religious instruction or devotions without the written permission of the parent. Many parents have no hesitation in granting it, indeed some press at once for religious instruction, believing that religion is a great boon for their children. In this way each college has a good average of at least 10 conversions annually. Lieutenant Yamamoto owes his faith to his college, and now several members of his family have followed .his example. Of course there are widespread prejudices yet to overcome ; but the Church wants only freedom, and that she has. Two of the lecturers at the University are Catholic religious. Three of the professors have become Catholics within the last couple of years. One holds the Chair of Literature, another that of Philosophy, and the third that of Chemistry. Lieutenant Yamamoto Catholics are stepping into positions of public importance. One is alteady Rear-Admiral, and Lieutenant Yamamoto has already several brother officers in the naxx This young Catholic has been fortunate so far. Dm ing the Boxer War he was much employed by the admirals oi the relieving expedition He is a good linguist, thanks to his Catholic masters, and his services in this dnection have been rewarded with special distinctions by the Russian and French Governments, as well as by his own Emperor. He has travelled much and obserxed intelligently the characteristics of the various nationalities visited. Recently he had an opportunity ol visiting Rome, and the Holy Father granted him the raie privilege of a private audience. He seems destined lor high things, and xve cordially wish him and his iel low -Catholics of Japan a full harvest of spiritual jo\s m letuin for the loner years of suffering which their ancestors m the faith bore with a glorious fortitude.