The trouble with Father Cimatti, 1935　　

New recruits arrived in Kobe on January 11th.
The man with the black beard is Seminary Barbaro.

June 4, 1935 Funeral of Father Piacenza

　　Oita and Miyazaki are elevated to independent pastoral care regions　　

　By 1935, the Salesian evangelization in Kyushu had spread to all the towns of Miyazaki, Tano, Takanabe, Beppu, Oita, and Nakatsu, and although it encountered problems here and there, it was progressing smoothly. As the number of believers was increasing, the Vatican elevated the independent evangelical mission areas of Oita and Miyazaki to geographical pastoral areas on January 28, 1935.

　　Father Cimatti appointed parish priest of Oita and Miyazaki　　　　

　In fact, Fr. Peter Riccardone, the Vice-General of the Salesian Society, had previously discussed this topic with Archbishop Giardini, who was the Apostolic Nuncio at the time, during his visit to Japan (1927-28). Father Cimatti's name was mentioned as the new vicar of this pastoral ministry. However, he had always opposed this, and on January 28, 1935, without his prior notice or consent, a decree from the Vatican appointed Father Vincenzo Cimatti as head of the diocese of Oita and Miyazaki.
　Needless to say, Father Cimatti accepted, but wrote to both the Vatican and his Salesian superiors, expressing his gratitude but refusing to wear the title and attire that came with such status: "Monsignor" and the "red robe." The reason for writing this letter was not only because Don Bosco and his successor, Father Michael Rua, had both turned down the offer, but also because he did not want to be treated this way spiritually. Furthermore, he said that he wanted to live and die as a Salesian. In fact, his former students from Italy sent him "bishop's vestments," but Father Cimatti sent them back, writing, "These ornaments do not suit me; sell them and make money." Salesians in Japan continued to call Father Cimatti "Monsignore" throughout his lifetime and even now, even though he disliked it.

　　Father Piacenza of Mikawashima Church passes away　　　　

　On June 3, 1935, bad news arrived from Tokyo. Father Peter Piacenza, the priest in charge of Mikawashima Church, had passed away at the age of 43. This priest was one of the original nine missionaries, and not only had been Father Cimatti's student in his youth, but he was also the one in whom he had placed the most hopes for the future. This was a source of great sadness for Father Cimatti. He wrote to Vicar General Berruti expressing his sorrow: "May God's will be done. Father Piacenza was a friend and a brother, and now that he has gone to heaven there is no one else who can take his place."

　　It's difficult to "hold a position of responsibility" in Japan　　　　

　In 1935 another incident troubled Father Cimatti. In Kagoshima, a district next to Miyazaki, Franciscan missionaries who were friends of Salesian missionaries were forced to withdraw from evangelistic activities due to insults made by a believer. It was because of nationalism, militarism and xenophobia. Father Cimatti became a parish priest at a time like this, and it made him realize how difficult it is to "hold a position of responsibility" in Japan.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Cimatti Museum 　　Father Marsilio
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　April 6, 2022

　　Go to the index page of Father Cimatti's life