Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi
Stored: Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi
| His Eminence Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Tokyo | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Sendai |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Niigata |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 15 March 1986 by Bishop Raymond Ken’ichi Tanaka |
| Consecration: | 20 September 2004 by Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi 1 November 1958 Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, Japan |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Education: | Salesian Pontifical University |
| Motto: | "Varietate Unitas" (Unity in Diversity) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Asia |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., born on 1 November 1958, is a Japanese prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Tokyo since 2017 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.[1] Born in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, he joined the Society of the Divine Word, a Religious order, in 1985, was ordained a priest in 1986, and served as Bishop of Niigata from 2004 to 2017.[2] Known for his progressive theology, Kikuchi emphasizes synodality, interreligious dialogue, and advocacy for migrants, the poor, and environmental protection, aligning with Pope Francis’ vision.[3] As president of Caritas Internationalis since 2023 and secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), he is a prominent figure in global Catholic humanitarian efforts.[4]
Kikuchi’s ministry includes missionary work in Ghana, leadership in Caritas Japan and Asia, and promoting peace in Asia, notably through dialogue on North Korea’s nuclear issues.[3] Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Giovanni Leonardi in 2024, he is the seventh Japanese cardinal and the first from the Society of the Divine Word.[5] A member of the Dicastery for Communication since January 2025, he shapes Church media strategies.[6] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, Kikuchi, at 66, is noted for his global outreach, though papabile speculation lacks primary confirmation.[7] He continues to lead Tokyo’s Catholics, fostering a synodal Church in a secular State/Administrative subdivision.[3] An X post alleging Kikuchi covered up rape denunciations is unverified and requires primary evidence.[8]post:7
Biography
Birth and early life
Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi was born on 1 November 1958 in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, in the Diocese of Sendai, to a catechist father.[1] Raised by Swiss missionaries in a parish, he felt called to a priestly vocation early, influenced by devotion to Saints like the Blessed Virgin Mary.[3] He attended local schools in Miyako, a coastal City.[2]
Growing up in Japan’s secular, Shinto-Buddhist majority, Kikuchi’s Catholic upbringing shaped his commitment to interreligious dialogue and missionary work.[4] His early exposure to Swiss missionaries inspired his entry into the Society of the Divine Word.[6]
Education
Kikuchi studied philosophy and theology at a Seminary in Japan, joining the Society of the Divine Word in 1985.[2] He completed additional studies at the Spiritual Institute of the Sacred Heart in Melbourne, Australia, and earned a licentiate in spirituality from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome.[3] He made his solemn vows on 8 March 1985 and was ordained a priest on 15 March 1986 by Bishop Raymond Ken’ichi Tanaka in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included formation work for Society of the Divine Word postulants, equipping him for missionary leadership.[2] Kikuchi’s multilingual skills (Japanese, English, Italian, Twi) enhanced his global ministry.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Society of the Divine Word in 1986, Kikuchi served as a missionary in the dioceses of Accra and Koforidua, Ghana (1986–1992), as a parish priest in rural areas.[2] Returning to Japan, he was provincial councilor (1994–1999), provincial superior (1999–2005), and executive director of Caritas Japan (1999–2004), volunteering in a Rwandan refugee camp in Bukavu, Zaire (now DRC), in the 1990s.[3] He joined the Diocese of Nagoya’s committee for permanent clerical formation in 2002.[2]
His priesthood focused on missionary work, humanitarian aid, and Church leadership, preparing him for episcopal roles.[5] Kikuchi’s experience in Ghana and Zaire shaped his advocacy for the marginalized.[9]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Niigata on 29 April 2004 by Pope John Paul II, Kikuchi was consecrated on 20 September 2004 by Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada, with Bishop Rafael Masahiro Umemura and Bishop Marcellino Taiji Tani as co-consecrators.[1] Named Archbishop of Tokyo on 25 October 2017 by Pope Francis, he was installed on 16 December 2017 and remains apostolic administrator of Niigata.[2] Elected president of Caritas Internationalis in May 2023, he leads global Catholic relief efforts.[4]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of San Giovanni Leonardi in 2024, Kikuchi became the seventh Japanese cardinal.[5] Appointed to the Dicastery for Communication in January 2025, he influences Church media.[6] His progressive theology, supporting synodality, migrants, and environmental protection, aligns with Pope Francis, though his archdiocese’s LGBT Masses and his contribution to *LGBT and Christianity* (2023) have drawn conservative critique.[3]post:4
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Niigata | Diocesan Bishop | 29 April 2004 | 25 October 2017 | Apostolic Administrator (2017–present) |
| Archdiocese of Tokyo | Metropolitan Archbishop | 25 October 2017 | Present | Seventh Japanese cardinal |
Significant events
- Joined the Society of the Divine Word, a Religious order, in 1985.[2]
- Ordained priest on 15 March 1986 by Bishop Raymond Ken’ichi Tanaka.[1]
- Served as missionary in Ghana (1986–1992).[2]
- Volunteered in Rwandan refugee camp, Bukavu, Zaire, in the 1990s.[9]
- Elected provincial superior of Society of the Divine Word in Japan in 1999, re-elected in 2002.[2]
- Appointed executive director of Caritas Japan in 1999, served until 2004.[3]
- Appointed Bishop of Niigata on 29 April 2004 by Pope John Paul II.[1]
- Elected head of Caritas Asia in 2011, served until 2019.[3]
- Named member of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on 13 September 2014.[10]
- Appointed Archbishop of Tokyo on 25 October 2017 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Named secretary general of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences on 22 July 2021.[4]
- Elected president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan in March 2022.[6]
- Elected president of Caritas Internationalis on 15 May 2023.[4]
- Elevated to cardinal on 7 December 2024, first Society of the Divine Word Japanese cardinal.[5]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Communication on 11 January 2025.[6]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[7]
Books
Written about the bishop
- "Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/tarcisio-isao-kikuchi.
- La Rosa, Angelica (26 April 2025). "Conosciamo il Cardinale elettore Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi". https://www.informazionecattolica.it/2025/04/26/conosciamo-il-cardinale-elettore-tarcisio-isao-kikuchi/.
- Saludes, Mark (6 October 2024). "Tokyo Archbishop Kikuchi named cardinal by Pope Francis". https://www.rappler.com/philippines/tokyo-archbishop-kikuchi-named-cardinal-pope-francis-october-2024/.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi have been identified in available sources, though he contributed a chapter to *LGBT and Christianity* (2023), edited by Aika Taira, and has written articles on environmental protection and evangelization.[3]
External links
- Tarcisio Isao Cardinal Kikuchi, S.V.D. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D. at Vatican Press
- Archdiocese of Tokyo at Archdiocese of Tokyo
- Caritas Internationalis congratulates President Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi at Caritas Internationalis
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Cheney, David M.. "Tarcisio Isao Cardinal Kikuchi, S.V.D.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bkikuchi.html.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 "Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D.". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_kikuchi.html.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 "Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/tarcisio-isao-kikuchi.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Caritas Internationalis elects Archbishop Kikuchi as new president". 13 May 2023. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-05/caritas-internationalis-elects-archbishop-kikuchi-president.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Saludes, Mark (6 October 2024). "Tokyo Archbishop Kikuchi named cardinal by Pope Francis". https://www.rappler.com/philippines/tokyo-archbishop-kikuchi-named-cardinal-pope-francis-october-2024/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi". 8 June 2012. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarcisio_Isao_Kikuchi.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ Reporte Asia (2 May 2025). "Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, líder de la arquidiócesis de Tokio". https://t.co/HgI0WrtsXl.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Caritas Internationalis congratulates President Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi on his appointment as Cardinal". 8 October 2024. https://www.caritas.org/2024/10/caritas-internationalis-congratulates-president-archbishop-tarcisio-isao-kikuchi-on-his-appointment-as-cardinal/.
- ↑ "Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi". 8 December 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarcisio_Isao_Kikuchi.