Pro-Vatican II Archbishop leads a "conservative" Catholic Group

Beginning from October 24,　the Yomiuri Shimbun is now serializing columns by Archbishop Joseph Pittau, former president of Sophia University. His view on the Second Vatican Council reflects that of many bishops in Japan. The Archbishop praises almost everything introduced by the Council.
　
For example, in a most recent column dated October 31, the Archbishop appraises the idea of inculturation taking the example of kneeling in Japan. He writes the situation before the Council. When a woman in kimono knelt, her legs would be exposed but it was also done in Japan. He explains kneeling is a custom in ancient Rome, and it was introduced to Christianity.

His stay in Japan spans more than 40 years, but he still cannot understand the customs in Japan as well as other Japanese bishops who also explain that kneeling is not a Japanese custom. In fact, kneeling has been also a Japanese custom. But due to their misunderstanding, kneeling is replaced by bowing in liturgy.

On the contrary, the late Maryknoll priest, Fr. James Hayatt who started Kokoro no tomoshibi (The Light in Heart) movement in Kyoto had a completely different view on kneeling he wrote:

It is said that kneeling is not a Japanese custom. Indeed, it may not be Japanese but it is also neither European nor American. Kneeling before the Holy Eucharist is a Catholic custom. It is a very important Catholic practice beyond all nations. Bowing is a greeting between people. When you cross before the tabernacle, to Our Lord Jesus who exists in the Holy Eucharist, you shall not greet Him just like as man but adore Him as the Almighty God. It is a pity not kneeling before the Holy Eucharist. I think it a great loss for the Catholic Church in Japan.

Unfortunately, Archbishop Joseph Pittau is now an adviser to Catholic Action Fellowship Association, a "conservative" Catholic group in Japan. As long as he leads the association, it is almost impossible to openly attend the Tridentine Mass at any diocesan church in Japan.

"Traditional" Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in October 10, 2009

Last Saturday, I went to St. Mary Catholic Cathedral to attend so-called "the Solemn Pontifical Mass" sponsored by Catholic Action Fellowship Association. This was the only one official "traditional" Mass in Latin according to the Missal of Paul VI celebrated once a year. This year was the 19th anniversary of this Latin Mass.

I think nearly one-fifteen hundreds or more people attended the Mass. At first, His Eminence, Cardinal Peter Shirayanagi was supposed to celebrate the Mass but due to his health, Archbishop Alberto Bottari de Castello, Apostolic Nuncio to Japan was a principal celebrant instead. Concelebrants were Archbishop Joseph Pittau, former President of Sophia University and former Secretary of Education Ministry in Vatican, and other famous priests in Japan.

Compared with the Mass usually I attend, it was better but not best at all. Some of them who came to this Mass were not Catholic and their purpose was to sing Gregorian chants and hymns on this occasion.

At the time of Holy Communion, people in center easily could receive the Eucharist on tongue and on their kneel because there were two pews in front of the two archbishops. However, on the both side of the corner, there was no pew although People could receive the Eucharist on tongue there also.

To my surprise, there was no announcement that those who were not yet baptized should not to receive the Eucharist although there was a case in a booklet which described the event in last year; a person not yet baptized received the Eucharist and saw it interestingly.

There was other thing which would became a problem in the next year onward. No young Japanese priest took part in this Mass. Most of them who concelebrated were already over seventies and some of them nearly nineties. I wondered how long they can continue to celebrate the Mass.

I also very worried about the faith of Catholics who came to this Mass. When the Mass was over, I went outside and met a man who was one of the leaders who prepared this solemn Mass. I greeted him and showed a picture of the Anglican clergies taken in front of the Cathedral a few weeks ago, but he paid little attention.

I am very skeptical of the leaders who prepared this Mass because they seem to have no intention to ask local bishops for help to celebrate the Tridentine Mass. They only will continue the same form of the Mass which many of them think very "traditional". It is no good because according to a booklet, a priest celebrated the Tridentine Mass for the members of Catholic Action Fellowship Association in last year. I think any member of this group should make efforts so that all Catholic can attend the Tridentine Mass in their parish on a regular basis.

It has been already more than two years since the issue of "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM" by Pope Benedict XVI which liberated the Tridentine Mass to all priest throughout the world. However, I have never found any church where priests celebrate the Tridentine Mass. There is a rumor that a priest says the Tridentine Mass at small chapel of St.Mary Cathedral in the very early morning (around 4 o'clock or so). I think it it very suspicious.

Unfortunately, Japan is not the only one country in East Asia where people have no chance to attend the Tridentine Mass. Even after the issue of "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM", Both Korea and Taiwan had no church nor group for this purpose. Only Hong Kong has a group since 2001.

Tridentine Latin Mass Association Of Hong Kong Diocese
http://tridentine.catholic.org.hk/

Let us pray to Our Lady so that the Lord speed the day that people can attend the true traditional Mass.