Cardinal Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo apologized for sexual abuse committed by clergy and acknowledged institutional shortcomings in the Church’s safeguarding system ahead of Japan’s 2026 Day of Prayer and Penance for Victims of Sexual Abuse.
In a Feb. 21 statement addressed to members of the Tokyo Diocese, Kikuchi reflected on the observance set for March 6, the second Friday of Lent, designated nationally by Japan’s bishops in 2016.
The bishops’ conference had announced the observance “in line with the wishes of Pope Francis,” marking it annually as a day of prayer, penance, and reparation for victims.
Kikuchi acknowledged failures within the Church’s leadership, writing: “Unfortunately, there are cases in which clergy and spiritual leaders in leadership positions in the Church have, as if abandoning their mission, committed sexual violence and harassment, thereby disregarding human dignity.”
Kikuchi expressed remorse for the harm caused by members of the clergy, saying the Church was “deeply sorry” that spiritual leaders committed sexual abuse, which he described as “an act that humiliates and violates human dignity and has caused long-term, deep suffering to victims.”
He then issued a direct institutional apology, saying: “We sincerely apologize for the Church’s sins of committing violence against life, a gift from God, and of disregarding human dignity.”
Kikuchi said the archdiocese has long maintained a response mechanism that includes interviews, third-party investigations when necessary, and recommendations to the diocesan bishop.
Still, he acknowledged systemic limits. “However, institutional limitations based on the Church’s internal history have not yet been overcome,” he said.
He explained that cases involving members of religious orders fall under the authority of their superiors, while diocesan priests are under the bishop’s responsibility.
He noted that this structure “has been criticized as an obstacle to appropriate response, as it is as if there are multiple people responsible for response within one Church.”
He said the Japanese bishops have been working with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors “to establish a framework for cooperation and information sharing between dioceses and religious orders, and are also working on revising response guidelines.”
In a related Feb. 1 message, Bishop Shinzo Moriyama, head of the Department for the Protection of Children and Women’s Rights of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to reform and healing.
“In accordance with Pope Francis’ wishes, the Church in Japan has designated the second Friday of Lent as a ‘Day of Prayer and Penance for Victims of Sexual Abuse.’ In 2026, this day will fall on March 6th,” Moriyama wrote.
He described Lent as “a time of penance and conversion,” saying the Church resolves “to make amends for our sins, pray especially for those who have been victims of sexual abuse, and work to restore their dignity.”
Acknowledging harm caused by Church leaders, he said that although protecting the vulnerable was central to Jesus’ life, “clergy in leading positions in the Church committed mistakes that deeply hurt victims.”
He added: “As the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, we take this matter seriously and offer our heartfelt apologies to those affected.”
Citing the Synod’s final document, Moriyama emphasized transparency and accountability, quoting: “The ones who suffer most from a loss of trust are those who are most vulnerable and in need of protection.
If the Church has earned trust, transparency, accountability, and evaluation practices contribute to the consolidation of that trust. This is particularly important in the protection of minors and vulnerable members of society.”
He said the Church intends to work with external experts and pledged continued transformation into “a Church that never stops striving to uphold the dignity of life, a Church that walks alongside victims, and a Church where all people can walk in safety and security, without overlooking any form of abuse or violence.”
The March 6 observance will include Masses offered for victims and acts of penance across dioceses in Japan.
