Japanese Province (JPN)

Tokyo, 01 June 2007. Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree approving the beatification of Peter Kibe and 187 other martyrs on June 1st, something which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan has long been requesting the Pope to do. The date when the beatification will be publicly proclaimed and celebrated will be determined after consultation between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan and the Holy Office in Rome.

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.