DIOCESE OF SAPPORO (Hokkaido)

Bishop

Predecessors

• Most Rev. Wenceslaus Kinold, O.F.M. 1915-1941
• Msgr. Lawrence Tatewaki Toda 1941-1944
• Msgr. Augustine Isamu Seno 1944-1952
• Most Rev. Benedict Takahiko Tomizawa 1953-1987
• Most Rev. Peter Toshio Jinushi 1988-2009

History

The Apostolic Prefecture of Sapporo was established on February 12, 1915. It was separated from the Hakodate Diocese and included all of Hokkaido (except the district of Hakodate) and the southern part of Sakhalin. It was entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor of Fulda Province, Germany. Msgr. Wenceslaus Kinold, O.F.M., was appointed Apostolic Prefect. On March 30, 1929, it was raised to the status of Apostolic Vicariate and Msgr. Kinold was consecrated bishop. On July 14, 1932, when the southern part of Sakhalin became independent, the Apostolic Prefecture of Sakhalin was established and was transferred to the care of Polish Franciscans. Upon the resignation of Bishop Kinold as Apostolic Vicar , Msgr. Tatewaki Toda became Apostolic Administrator in 1941. In 1944 Msgr. Toda was transferred to the Yokohama Diocese and Msgr. Isamu Seno was appointed Apostolic Administrator.
On December 11, 1952 the district of Hakodate, which had belonged to the Sendai Diocese, was incorporated and Sapporo was raised to the status of a diocese that included all of Hokkaido. Fr. Takahiko Tomizawa was appointed the first bishop of the new Sapporo Diocese and consecrated on March 19, 1953. With the resignation of Bishop Tomizawa, Fr. Toshio Jinushi was appointed as his successor on October 3, 1987, and consecrated on January 15,1988.
On November 17, 2009 it was announced that the resignation of Bishop Jinushi was accepted and Most Rev. Isao Kikuchi, Bishop of Niigata, was appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.
On June 22, 2013, Fr. Taiji Katsuya was appointed Bishop of Sapporo, consecrated on October 14, 2013 and continues to serve as Bishop of Sapporo.