(28) Papal Nuncio's visit to Miyazaki, shrine worship issue, school tour

Miyazaki July 4, 1926
To Father Rinaldi Filippo

Dear Father Rinaldi,

Yesterday, His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Giardini, who spent a day and a half with us like a father, departed. I consider it my duty and my goodness to quickly summarize and report to you the proposals he has made for us and for the missions. The delegation arrived at around 10pm on Thursday night. Without any instructions, many believers, including us, lined up at the station and greeted them with the usual bows. The delegation was taken by car to the church, where they had a light meal and then rested. At 6am, a solemn mass with singing and musical accompaniment was held, and many believers received Communion. After breakfast, they visited city officials, including the governor, mayor, and prefectural police chief of Miyazaki Prefecture. The governor provided a car for the delegation, and they toured the shrine dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the archaeological museum, and other sites. In the evening, they also traveled to Aoshima, where tropical vegetation grows lushly.

Giardini His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio

Upon returning to the monastery, he gave a wonderful address to the community, encouraging us to continue our work of "Thy Kingdom come" among the people entrusted to us. He spoke of the difficulties of missionary work in Japan, especially in our mission field. He spoke of the character of the Japanese people, their ancient traditions, their sense of superiority, their wealth, the lack of missionaries, and the moral disorder that lies behind their outward politeness. He also spoke of the lack of success and fruitfulness we have had in the area entrusted to us so far, the language barrier, and many other issues. He encouraged us to have complete confidence in God's Providence, knowing that He will surely help us. During the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the evening, he greeted the faithful in French, which the parish priest translated. He presented the faithful with medals.

The next day, the governor invited the delegation to lunch, and Father Bonkazu and I both attended. The delegation departed around 2:00 p.m. The faithful were very impressed and were also pleased with the governor's gracious hospitality. This was also a great motivation for each of us members to continue our preparations to fulfill our mission well.

The local newspaper also reported on the envoys' visit, writing that they had prayed at the shrine of Emperor Jimmu. This caused some believers to become uneasy, so the head priest gave a thorough explanation at the church. The truth is as follows:

The governor encouraged the delegation to offer a sakaki branch when visiting shrines. They were told in advance that this was not a religious act at all. However, the delegation, who had previously offered flowers at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, entered the shrine grounds this time as well. However, as the shrine's priest stood nearby as they proceeded, they simply removed their hats, lest they be mistaken for worshipping.

Shrine visits are one of the most debated issues. The government's clear position is that shrines are monuments dedicated to the Emperor and heroes of Japan, that the priests who guard them are merely civil servants, and that activities performed there are merely civil acts. However, the majority of the public and clergy (bishops and especially Japanese priests) consider it a religious act and worship, and believe that believers should be advised not to do so.

A recent example: At a committee meeting considering new laws regarding religion, religious representatives asked the Minister of Education and others why not a single word had been said about shrine worship. The minister in charge responded with the government's position mentioned above. This sparked a debate that lasted for three days. To successfully resolve this issue, the minister stated that the issue was very important and needed to be studied in depth, and that a special committee would be set up to discuss it at the appropriate time. For the time being, he dodged the issue by saying that they would instead discuss the assigned topic. Certainly, if the view that shrine visits are a religious act prevailed and the government were to make it mandatory for citizens, Christians would refuse, and persecution would result.

The government says it must develop people's consciences, because if things continue as they are, the younger generation will grow up without any beliefs. They also have a positive attitude toward Catholic teaching, because it teaches loyalty to authority. For now, unless there are orders to the contrary, we will (when questioned) teach, as our bishops and parish priests teach, that such ceremonies have only a civic meaning. (Omitted)

The Nuncio suggested December as the date for the local missionaries to withdraw. He then said that he would write to the Bishop to ask for his assistance on special occasions for a while.

Personally, I believe that you can't swim unless you jump in the water (is this also arrogant?). Still, I agree with this lengthy postponement because:

(a)	My collaborators, Father Tanguy and Father Piacenza, who are more experienced and virtuous than I am, think so.
(b)	It takes two or three years to master the language. There is no way it could have been prepared in less than a year, and compared to other religious orders, the Salesians are in danger of giving the impression that they are rushing into something important without thinking.
(c)	I decided that I would be able to plan my future work after gaining a better understanding of the situation.

Other news

July 1st: I visited the Miyazaki Meteorological Agency. They have all the latest equipment for measuring wind speed, temperature, and humidity, and especially for measuring earthquakes.（……）

July 3rd: For the first time, we participated in a Miyazaki elementary school choir competition. There were 4,000 students, both boys and girls, and 2,000 of them gathered in the large auditorium. The plays and other events that would be considered impressive in other mission fields would seem trivial compared to what they do here. The students are very skilled in music and dance, demonstrating incredible talent. They also sing in unison and do it well and naturally.

My good Father, please pray for me. That Jesus would truly make me His own, and that I would be able to pray with a focused heart, humble, pure, and truly love others. I so desperately need this. (...) Please bless all of us, all of us, who kneel before the Father with the love of a child.

Your Father V. Cimatti, who needs it more than anyone else