Japanese cardinal dead at 81; former Irish primate in grave condition

December 30, 2009

Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, the retired Archbishop of Tokyo, died on December 30 at the age of 81. A native of Tokyo, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1954 and appointed auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese in 1966. He became coadjutor in 1969, and Archbishop of Tokyo the following year, remaining in that position until his retirement in 2000. He was raised to the College of Cardinals by Pope John Paul II in 1994.

With the death of Cardinal Shirayanagi, there are now 184 living members of the College of Cardinals, of whom 112 are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in a papal conclave.

Cardinal Cahal Daly, the former Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, remains hospitalized in Belfast with severe heart problems. He is 92.

 

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Further information:

• Death of Cardinal Shirayanagi (VIS)
• Irish Catholic Cardinal Cahal Daly in serious condition in Belfast (Irish Central)