Salesian School In Tokyo Priest Abuse Victim Katsumi Takenaka

Katsumi Takenaka

 

Katsumi Takenaka is a soft spoken man. Even recounting the abuse he received from a Salesian priest, he speaks softly without a hint of anger or animus. Even as tears well, his voice keeps cadence and rhythm.

Takenaka received a public apology earlier this year from Nagasaki Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami for the sexual abuse he suffered as a child at the Salesian Boys' Home in Tokyo during the period 1983-1985. He was placed there after his parents' divorce.

"I think his apology was sincere in his own way. But the response has lacked a sense of urgency, and there is no sign the bishops will take any real action," Takenaka told The Associated Press.

Takenaka identified his abuser as the late Rev. Thomas Manhard, a German priest, who he said initially took off the boy's clothes to examine bruises from beatings he suffered from other boys at the home. The priest's examinations escalated to fondling and other sexual acts, which went on for months until the priest was transferred, he said. He reported that the priest told him he would go straight to hell if he told anyone and gave him candy and foreign stamps.

Takenaka's account was confirmed by the Rev. Hiroshi Tamura, who runs the Salesian Boys' Home and said he was conferring with the Japanese bishops' conference to work out a response to his claim.

Takenaka said an outside investigation is needed and a forum for victims to come together.

"The victims are isolated," Takenaka said. "No one knows for sure if the abuse is still going on. The bishops see it as a irritation to deal with, a PR deal. They still refuse to see it as an illegal act of sexual assault that must be punished in the legal system."

A spokesman for Archbishop Takami referred us to the 2019 Statement issued by the Japan Conference of Bishops. He refused to answer if the process of reporting abusive priests includes immediate notification of police. “I have no comment to make. See the 2019 statement.”, he replied.