Peter Shirayanagi facts for kids

Styles of Peter Shirayanagi
Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Tokyo

Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi (born June 17, 1928 – died December 30, 2009) was an important leader in the Catholic Church in Japan. He was a Cardinal and served as the Archbishop of Tokyo.

Early Life and Studies

Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi was born in Hachiōji, a city in Tokyo, Japan. He loved to learn and studied at Sophia University. In 1951, he earned a degree in philosophy, which is the study of knowledge and existence. He then focused on theology, which is the study of religious faith, and finished in 1954.

On December 21, 1954, he became a priest at Kanda Catholic Cathedral. After that, he traveled to Rome, Italy, to study at the Pontifical Urban University. There, he earned a special degree called a doctorate in Canon law in 1960. Canon law is the set of rules and laws that guide the Catholic Church.

Leading the Church in Tokyo

In 1966, Peter Shirayanagi became a Bishop. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Church who oversees a group of churches. He was first an Auxiliary Bishop of Tokyo. This means he helped the main Archbishop.

In 1969, he became the Coadjutor Archbishop of Tokyo. This role meant he was chosen to become the next Archbishop. The very next year, in 1970, he officially became the Archbishop of Tokyo. As Archbishop, he was the main leader of the Catholic Church in the Tokyo area.

He worked hard to put into practice the ideas from the Second Vatican Council. This was a very important meeting of Catholic leaders from around the world that updated many Church practices. In 1989, he led a group to visit the Catholic Church in China. From 1983 to 1992, he was also in charge of the Japanese Catholic Bishops' conference. This group helps guide the Catholic Church across all of Japan.

Becoming a Cardinal

In 1994, Pope John Paul II chose Peter Shirayanagi to become a Cardinal. Cardinals are very important leaders in the Catholic Church, just below the Pope. They also help choose the next Pope. He was given the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza.

On June 12, 2000, he retired from his role as Archbishop of Tokyo. Even after retiring, he remained a Cardinal. In 2005, he was one of the cardinal electors who took part in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the special meeting where Cardinals gathered to choose the new Pope, and they selected Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Shirayanagi passed away on December 30, 2009, at Loyola House in Tokyo. This was a home for older priests.

Important Dates in His Life

Here are some key moments in Peter Shirayanagi's life:

• June 17, 1928: He was born in Hachioji, Tokyo.
• December 21, 1954: He became a priest in Tokyo, Japan.
• June 1960: He earned his doctorate in Canon Law from Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.
• March 15, 1966: He was chosen to be an auxiliary bishop of Tokyo.
• May 8, 1966: He was officially made a bishop.
• February 21, 1970: He became the Archbishop of Tokyo.
• November 26, 1994: He was made a Cardinal.
• February 17, 2000: He retired as the Archbishop of Tokyo.
• April 18, 2005: He participated in the meeting that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
• November 24, 2008: He led a special Mass to honor Fr. Kibe and 187 martyrs in Nagasaki.
• December 30, 2009: He passed away at Loyola House in Tokyo.

See also

• In Spanish: Pedro Shirayanagi para niños