A group of Japanese bishops met with Pope Benedict XVI on December 13
to discuss their concerns about the Neocatechumenal Way.
Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga of Osaka, the president of the Japanese
bishops’ conference, said that the meeting had been called by the Pope.
He said that Japanese Church leaders would have further discussions with
Vatican officials and with Kiko Arguello, the leader of the
Neocatechumenal Way.
Tensions between the Japanese hierarchy and the lay movement culminated
in the closing of a seminary operated by the Neocatechumenal Way in
Takamatsu.
Japanese bishops have complained that the group’s activities
harm the unity among the faithful.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, also took
part in the December 13 discussions with the Japanese bishops.
The
Vatican made no public comment on the meeting.
SIC: CC/INT'L