Overview of the History of the Catholic Church in Japan
1549 | Francisco Xavier lands in Kagoshima. |
1563 | Omura Sumitada baptized as the first Christian lord (daimyo). |
1582 | Delegation of four young envoys [Tensho Shonen Shisetsu] sets out for Europe. |
1585 | Pope Gregory XIII receives the young envoys in audience. |
1587 | Toyotomi Hideyoshi issues the edict forbidding Christianity and orders all missionaries to leave Japan. Takayama Ukon deprived of fief and status. |
1597 | 26 Christians martyred at Nishizaka in Nagasaki. |
1613 | Tokugawa shogunate government implements the Ban on Christianity throughout Japan. |
1614 | Takayama Ukon banished to the Philippines. All churches in Kyoto and Nagasaki destroyed. |
1622 | 55 Christians (priests and laity) martyred in Nagasaki (The Great Genna Martyrdom). |
1627, 1628 or 1629 | Introduction of the “Fumie” (forced trampling of Christian images). |
1637 | The Shimabara Uprising. (-1638) |
1790 | The first Urakami Persecution. |
1839 | The second Urakami Persecution. |
1856 | The third Urakami Persecution. |
1856, 1857 or 1858 | Nagasaki magistrate announces discontinuation of “Fumie” practice. |
1862 | The 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki canonized in Rome. |
1865 | Construction of Oura Church in Nagasaki completed. Descendants of the Hidden Catholics meet Fr. Petitjean at Oura, and confess their faith. |
1867 | 205 Japanese Martyrs beatified in Rome. The fourth Urakami Persecution. |
1868 | The Meiji government takes over the ban on Christianity. 114 Urakami Christians are exiled to 3 different domains. |
1870 | More than 3000 Urakami Christians arrested and exiled to 21 different domains. (-1873) |
1873 | Abolition of signboards proscribing Christianity (tacit approval of Christian evangelization). Urakami Christians released. |
1889 | The Constitution of the Empire of Japan guarantees freedom of religion in Japan. Masses of thanksgiving offered in churches throughout Japan. |
1945 | An atomic bomb dropped over Nagasaki, 3 days after Hiroshima. Urakami Church was completely destroyed. |
1959 | Urakami Church is rebuilt, and becomes Cathedral in 1962. |
1981 | Pope (John Paul II) visits Japan (Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki) for the first time. |
2019 | Pope Francis visits Japan (Tokyo, Nagasaki and Hiroshima). |
Note: There were many other Christian persecutions throughout Japan with martyrs totaling 10,000 to 20,000 depending on scholars.
Reference: “History of the Catholic Church in Japan.” Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (CBCJ), with small modifications and additions by KAROLDVD-JC.