On May 9, 2006, the theologians’ consultative committee of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints presented an ‘in favor’ report regarding the beatification of Fr. Peter Kibe and 187 martyrs.
The same group was already processed by the historians’ consultative committee of the same congregation in March 2005. The cause will now be turned over to the `Cardinals’ committee’ of the congregation for approval and the final step would be the signing of a document by the Holy Father, However, it is still premature to speak of a date for the beatification ceremony. Vatican sources spoke of sometime after May 2007, as a possibility.
In January 2006, Bishop Nomura, President of the Bishops’ Conference, the chairman of the committee for the beatification of Japanese Martyrs and the secretary, on a visit to the Vatican, met Cardinal Sodano, the Secretary of State and Cardinal Saraiva, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. They presented a petition signed by all the members of the Bishops’ Conference requesting the beatification ceremony be carried out at an early date. Through the good offices of Cardinal Shirayanagi a petition was also presented to Pope Benedict XV1. The church in Japan is active and positive in the beatification process. Four of the 188 martyrs are Jesuits: Fr. Peter KIBE (+ 1639, Edo = Tokyo), Fr. Julian NAKAURA (+1633, Nagasaki), Fr. Diego Ryousetsu YUKI (+1636, Osaka), and Br. Kei-an FUKUNAGA (+1633, Nagasaki).
Fr. Kibe, having eluded persecution, went to Macau where he was refused entrance to the Society of Jesus. He made his way to Rome, was ordained priest and entered the Society of Jesus. Undaunted by the danger of a fourth shipwreck, he returned to Japan and took care of the faithful. Nine years later was captured in Sendai. Brought to Tokyo, he was tortured and martyred.
Julian NAKAURA was one of the four young members of a legation that went to Europe in the late 16th century. He was received in audience by Gregory X111 and many of the European nobility. He returned to Japan, joined the Society of Jesus and was later martyred. Julian is mentioned in the textbooks of primary and middle schools of Japan where he is known to many non-Christians.