The Dehonians visited the Diocese of Fukuoka: Discerning a Possible Mission in Japan

From September 10 to 13, 2026, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez, General Superior of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Fr. Daniel Antonio de Carvalho, local superior of the International Community for Asia (ICA), visited the Diocese of Fukuoka in southwestern Japan. They were invited by the local Bishop, Josep Abella, a former general superior of the Claretians (CMF).

Bishop Abella welcomed us with genuine warmth and hospitality, graciously guiding us through a comprehensive encounter with the local Church’s pastoral mission and vision. During our initial conversations with the Bishop, we learned about the Church’s remarkable and inspiring journey in Japan—from its arrival and flourishing in the sixteenth century, through centuries of courageous endurance of persecution sustained by devoted lay Catholics, to the modern era of religious freedom and renewal.

The Diocese encompasses three provinces (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Saga) with a population exceeding 7.5 million, of which approximately 29,000 are Catholic, representing just 0.4% of the total population. These faithful are distributed across 55 parishes and four missionary works, served by roughly 52 priests, including 25 diocesan clergy. Bishop Abella shared his compelling vision for a more missionary and outward-looking Church, one that reaches far beyond sacramental ministry to engage the wider community with compassion and authenticity. The Diocese already demonstrates this commitment through nine Catholic schools, an inter-religious spirituality center for dialogue and contemplation, a social pastoral center serving those in need, and various pastoral initiatives in rural areas.

Our visit included meaningful encounters with several inspiring pastoral projects that showcase the Diocese’s commitment to service and evangelization. We visited the Shinmeizan inter-religious house of spirituality and retreats, where dedicated Xaverian priests warmly welcomed us and expressed genuine interest in collaborating with the Dehonians to expand their ministry. The  Minoshima social pastoral center deeply impressed us with its compassionate work serving immigrants and vulnerable populations facing various challenges. Our visits to the Cathedral of Fukuoka and several parish communities revealed a stable pastoral life and considerable dedication among the clergy, despite the small size of the Catholic population in this predominantly non-Christian society. The pastoral center, which coordinates community groups, further illustrated the bishop’s missionary dynamism and pastoral vision. Finally, we visited the Sulpician Seminary, one of the two campuses of the Japan Catholic Seminary. This facility supports multiple pastoral and formative activities within the diocese, including Japanese language instruction for missionaries.

After six months of enriching dialogue with Bishop Abella, this visit successfully achieved its fundamental objectives. We gained deep and valuable insights into the pastoral needs, challenges, and opportunities of the Diocese. Multiple avenues for pastoral action exist across spirituality centers, social outreach programs, Catholic education, and university chaplaincy work.

Furthermore, we received encouraging and satisfactory responses to practical questions regarding housing, religious visas, and the overall sustainability of establishing a mission in the region. Thanks to Bishop Abella’s continued leadership and support, this is an ideal and opportune moment for thoughtful discernment regarding this genuinely promising opportunity for the Dehonian mission in Japan, as well as the future growth of the Congregation’s presence in Asia, in line with the reflection of the major superiors of this geo-cultural area.

«Aidons les missions du Japon de toutes manières, par nos prières, par nos ressources, et, si nous le pouvons, en lui envoyant des apôtres » (Leon Dehon, CHR 1891)

«Let us support the missions in Japan in every way—through our prayers, our resources, and, if we can, by sending apostles». (Leon Dehon, CHR 1891)