Neo-cats go off on their own way

A Japanese pastor joins the debate with a personal view of the Catholic lay movement

Eijiro Suwa
Japan
February 17, 2011

The Neocatechumenal Way’s operations in Japan came under the spotlight recently when several of the country’s bishops expressed misgivings about the movement and complained that it has sometimes been a divisive force in their Church.

Here, an Osaka archdiocesan priest, Father Eijiro Suwa, 63, the pastor at Enokuchi parish in Kochi prefecture, in Takamatsu diocese, about 600km southwest of Tokyo, gives a personal account of the “Way” from his experience.

This is an edited version of Father Suwas’ comments.

In order to serve the needs of the “Way”, their priests are ordained as “diocesan priests”, but they do not understand what it means to engage in pastoral evangelization in obedience to their bishop. They repeatedly proclaim, “We have been missioned by the Vatican”, and at meetings of the priests of the diocese they say to the Bishop’s face, “We obey the Vatican.”

Are they not able to understand the policy of the diocese regarding “Collaborative Ministry”? At gatherings of the priests of the diocese they say, “That policy has nothing to do with us.” It is not an exaggeration to say that the Diocese of Takamatsu is being used by the “Way”

When it came time for First Communion in the parish, a priest of the “Way” asked that he be allowed to give First Communion to the children of the members of the “Way”.

When a member of the “Way” died, they did not notify the pastor of the parish until the day after the funeral, which they had conducted on their own.

There was one additional priest “in charge” of Enoguchi Parish. Who named him to that post? In some secret way a priest of the “Way” had been named to look after the liturgy and gatherings of the “Way” in that parish. In order to augment the following of the “Way” many meetings and events are planned and carried out in secret.

REDEMPTORIS SEMINARY

At the present time the Takamatsu Diocesan International Redemptoris Mater Seminary has been closed in the diocese and has moved to Rome as “Redemptoris Mater Seminary for Japan”.

At the time of the foundation of the seminary, since the process followed was neither legally nor financially sound, and since the wishes of the people of the diocese were not followed, many problems arose. The seminary was established in the Diocese of Takamatsu under the jurisdiction of its Bishop, but it was evident that it was independent of the diocese and all matters regarding formation and administration were handled by the “Way”.

They were supported by donations, but since there was no report to the diocese with regard to the accounts and/or the formation being provided, there was no transparency in these matters. The Bishop was not even introduced to the new candidates who presented themselves each year.

Many of the faithful of the diocese have felt keenly the suffering of the diocese for more than 20 years. However, the pain of the people of the diocese and the untiring direction of the Bishop was no more than static in their ears. Their consciousness was “We are being persecuted.”

MISSIONARY FAMILIES

There were two missionary families from Italy assigned to Enoguchi Parish. They are very good people.

Their mission was to minister to and help the priests of the “Way”. They said that they were missioned by the Vatican to be completely submissive to them. They were friendly with the people of Enoguchi Parish, but when the priest of the “Way” no longer came to the parish and because of difficulties with the Japanese language, it became difficult for them to grasp their mission.

LITURGIES

The members of the “Way” celebrate a special Mass according to their own catechesis that is not part of the liturgical guidelines of the Bishops’ Conference of Japan.

The same is true of the liturgy for Holy Week. They celebrate liturgies that ignore the sensibility of the Japanese people and are considered to be bizarre (funerals).

There is also the problem of the collection during the Mass. It does not become part of the parish finances and its use is unclear.

The Bishop – out of respect for the members of the “Way” – tried to deal with this issue quietly without making public statements. However, the members of the “Way” did not grasp the Bishop’s intention and continued to ignore him. Each time an issue came up the emphatic answer was “We obey the Vatican.”

In seeking unity in our diocese our Bishop appealed to the Vatican time and again but each time it was felt that the true state of affairs was not understood in Rome.

JA13320.1641

765 words

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Dr. K.P. Paulson

This is very revealing in deed.
Fcbavo

When I was in Japan I heard as well about some postive experiences as about disastrous cases in some parishes … but, perhaps it will be difficult to handle it case by case.
Bro. Bavo fc
namviet

MISSIONARY FAMILIES

There were two missionary families from Italy assigned to Enoguchi Parish. They are very good people.

Their mission was to minister to and help the priests of the “Way”. They said that they were missioned by the Vatican to be completely submissive to them. They were friendly with the people of Enoguchi Parish, but when the priest of the “Way” no longer came to the parish and because of difficulties with the Japanese language, it became difficult for them to grasp their mission.

Having readed that, perhaps these 2 missionary families with “Italians” background could be perceived as “culture-interference” also an answer as “we obey Vatican” as a quick way out as no-proper reply to concern of “bizarre” practice has to be viewed as : Communication issues or problem on basis of personality clash! What about be truthful to our intention to serve God without the “me, myself” syndrome of : Arrogancy = Failure to see our weakness.
Dalb Mario-chiruplas

Oh, it seem that that problems, so clearly exposed, are very,very common everywehre on the world! So, it’s a common system used from all member of Neocat. way !this is a particular ,strange fruit, of artist-Kiko Arguello-spanish painter,got “theologist” and founder of this sect.Unfortunately for members,many believer let the “way” showing a deep sufference for theyr “go away”. But this sufference cam from the bad words instilled from other members to sufference spirit’s member.All the doctrine, theologie,mass, are different from catholic use, but the strong help for this “way” in Vatican, confuse and don’t let understand completely this very strange “way” into catholic Chirch ! In Taiwan, same situation described from Father Eijiro Suwa
Dalb Mario-chiruplas

Very,very revealing indeed, dear dr.K.P.Paulson. Same position everywehre because of theyr supposed superiority in confront of other catholic believers! My experience on Taiwan was same described on Japan. My experience on Europe was same described on Japan.. Why ? The website describing the neocathecumenal way are describing same situation on the world. Why ? That’s non depending from different neocathecumenal people, indeed. That’s depending from only one direction, and all member obey to this only one direction, non to pope or to country bishop!
Andrew Kong

Perhaps if the local Japanese bishops / Church are completely obedient to the Vatican / Magisterium, then there will be no difficulty when both obey the same master?
Sakura

I think that the troubles caused by “neo” are not cultural but theological. Have the people of Rome ever examined what kind of catechism the neo’s priests are giving in each group? They are not speaking about the gospel of Jesus. I have had an impression that they are spreading just a personal belief of KIKO based on his presonal experience of God.Maybe their documents of catechism are well prepared and sound reasonable. But they practice in different way. Here in Japan, many young christians have felt instintively that “neo” is a kind of cult. In Japan, there are many cult group and people are sensitive about the cult-like atmosphere. Some people left the catholic church
occupied by neo, saying “this is not Chrintian church”.
Japanese Church is small in non christian society. But our Church is not dead but alive. Many christians are converted. Many of us have personal encounter with Jesus and decide to follow Him. Many of us is the first christian of our family. We have a lot of things to do for the Kingdom of Jesus in this society. We do not have time to have troubles with this group. I ask you,” neos”, please
go away from Japan. Please do not make us suffer any more. It is not the time to divide the small Church.
I hope God may hear our cry…
Dalb Mario-chiruplas

All right Sakura! In Italy many theologist priest investigated neocat. way, an discovered a very difformity from catholic Church. So it’s real a theological trouble ! Unfortunately in many country, no bishop, nor cardinal want know what real difference from catholic Church’s doctrine, and neocat. way disrupt and enlarge his hands. But some person accept this doctrine, and more person go away from this ideas and from catholic Church, too !This way is’nt european way of catholic view , nor asian, nor american! this is a complet heretical way introduced on catholic Church with smartness, using sentimental and emphatized system (sound, songs and strong words)For better knowledge: http://neocatecumenali.blogspot.com/
http://nullapossiamocontrolaverita.blogspot.com/2011/02/ennesima-dichiarazione-dei-vescovi-del.html (translation on left part of side, by google or microsoft)
Jsmith

All of the Doctrine taught have been verified by the Vatican as well as the liturgical practices. And the church has given it authority to fulfill its purpose in the name of the church.