Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
Stored: Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
| His Eminence Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Osaka-Takamatsu | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Osaka-Takamatsu |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Osaka |
| Other diocese 2: | Diocese of Hiroshima |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 19 March 1975 by Archbishop Joseph Asajiro Satowaki |
| Consecration: | 23 September 2011 by Bishop Joseph Atsumi Misue |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda 3 March 1949 Tsuwasaki, Kami-Goto, Nagasaki, Japan |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Education: | Nanzan Lyceum, Nagasaki; Saint Sulpice Major Seminary, Fukuoka |
| Motto: | "In Verbo Tuo" (At Your Word) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Asia |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda, born March 9, 1949, is a Japanese prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu since 2023, after being Archbishop of Osaka (2014–2023) and Bishop of Hiroshima (2011–2014).[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018, Maeda is known for his peace advocacy in Hiroshima, his campaign for the beatification of Japan’s “hidden Christians,” and his work with people with disabilities, communications, and ecumenism, notably as secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (2006–2011).[2] His motto, “In Verbo Tuo” (At Your Word, Luke 5:5), reflects his commitment to God’s call, evident in his 2024 endorsement of synodality to maintain the Church’s relevance in Japan and his view that migration could revitalize Japanese Catholicism.[2] At 76, Maeda is one of nine Asian cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he joined pre-conclave meetings and attended Pope Francis’ funeral rites, representing Japan’s small Catholic community.[3][4]
A Nagasaki native whose mother died from leukemia due to the 1945 atomic bomb’s radiation, Maeda’s anti-nuclear stance and Hiroshima peace activism have shaped his ministry, alongside his haiku poetry, which he weaves into sermons.[2] His 2023 appointment as Manila Cathedral’s envoy for its 60th post-war anniversary underscored his regional influence.[5] In April 2025, Maeda participated in general congregations in Rome, discussing the Church’s future, and confirmed his conclave attendance, expressing humility about his role.[3] While his global profile is modest, his focus on synodality and migration aligns with Francis’ vision, though he sees Japan’s declining birth rate as a governmental, not ecclesiastical, issue.[2]
Biography
Birth and early life
Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda was born on March 3, 1949, in Tsuwasaki, Kami-Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, to a Catholic family with roots tracing back to Japan’s 16th-century Christians.[1] Raised in a region scarred by the 1945 atomic bombing, where his mother later died of leukemia, Maeda attended the Nanzan Lyceum in Nagasaki before entering the Saint Sulpice Major Seminary in Fukuoka at age 18.[2] His early life shaped his commitment to peace and faith resilience.[5]
Growing up in Japan’s small Catholic community (less than 1% of the population), Maeda’s vocation was influenced by Nagasaki’s “hidden Christians,” who preserved their faith despite persecution.[1] His personal loss to nuclear fallout fueled his anti-nuclear advocacy.[2]
Education
Maeda studied philosophy and theology at the Saint Sulpice Major Seminary in Fukuoka, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology.[1] His formation focused on pastoral ministry in Japan’s secular, Buddhist-majority context.[2] He also trained in haiku, a Japanese poetic form, which he later integrated into his preaching.[2]
Fluent in Japanese and English (used in bishops’ conferences, though proficiency is unconfirmed), Maeda’s education equipped him for ecumenical and social engagement.[5] His seminary training emphasized mission in a minority-Catholic nation.[1]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Nagasaki on March 19, 1975, by Archbishop Joseph Asajiro Satowaki, Maeda served as parish vicar, parish priest, editor of the diocesan bulletin, and head of the diocesan Commission for Social Communications.[1] From 2006 to 2011, he was secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, coordinating national Church initiatives.[2] His ministry focused on people with disabilities and ecumenism.[2]
His priesthood included advocating for the beatification of Japan’s “hidden Christians,” exiled in the 19th century, and promoting peace in Nagasaki.[1] His communications role enhanced his outreach in a media-driven society.[5]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Hiroshima on June 13, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, Maeda was consecrated on September 23, 2011, by Bishop Joseph Atsumi Misue.[1] Named Archbishop of Osaka in 2014 and the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu in 2023, he was elevated to cardinal in 2018, assigned the titular church of Santa Pudenziana.[6] He served as vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (2016–2022).[2]
As bishop, Maeda led Hiroshima’s peace movement, campaigned for “hidden Christians’” beatification, and endorsed synodality in 2024.[2] In 2025, he joined Pope Francis’ funeral rites and conclave preparations in Rome.[3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Hiroshima | Bishop | 13 June 2011 | 20 August 2014 | Led peace movement |
| Archdiocese of Osaka | Archbishop | 20 August 2014 | 15 August 2023 | Elevated to cardinal in 2018 |
| Archdiocese of Osaka-Takamatsu | Metropolitan Archbishop | 15 August 2023 | Present | First archbishop of new archdiocese |
Significant events
- Entered Saint Sulpice Major Seminary, 1967.[1]
- Ordained priest for Nagasaki, 1975.[1]
- Served as secretary general, Bishops’ Conference, 2006–2011.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Hiroshima, 2011.[1]
- Named Archbishop of Osaka, 2014.[1]
- Elected vice president, Bishops’ Conference, 2016.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2018.[1]
- Served as envoy to Manila Cathedral’s 60th anniversary, 2018.[5]
- Appointed Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu, 2023.[1]
- Endorsed synodality and migration, 2024.[2]
- Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, 2025.[3]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Maeda were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Maeda were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and haiku poetry through the Archdiocese of Osaka-Takamatsu, but no published books are documented.
External links
- Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
- Biography of Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 "Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda". Wikipedia. 2018-05-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquino_Manyo_Maeda.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 "Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-07-08. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-thomas-aquino-manyo-maeda/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Conclave - 2025". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-28. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/event/c2025.html.
- ↑ "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Manila Cathedral congratulates Cardinal Maeda as first archbishop of new Osaka-Takamatsu archdiocese". RVA News. 2023-08-18. https://www.rvasia.org/church-asia/manila-cathedral-congratulates-cardinal-maeda-first-archbishop-new-osaka-takamatsu-archdiocese.
- ↑ "Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda". Wikipedia (Portuguese). 2018-06-12. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquino_Manyo_Maeda.