Bishop of tsunami-hit diocese is safe, but uncontactable
The bishop of a diocese in northern part of Japan devastated by last week's earthquake and tsunami, is said to be safe but uncontactable.
Bishop Hiromichi Kato managed to get a message out to say that he is okay, but according Rikkyo University professor Rev.Prof. Renta Nishihara no one has managed to contact him directly.
Prof. Nishihara added that Bishop Kato had revealed many churches of Tohoku. including the cathedral suffered the heavy damage.
Writing the on the day of the earthquake, Archbishop Harper assured the Anglican Church of Japan of our prayers.
"Dear Archbishop Nathaniel and all your brothers and sisters in Christ of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai.
On behalf of the Church of Ireland I wish to express our shock and distress at the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquake off the north east coast of your country today. The thoughts and prayers of the people of the Church of Ireland are with you and all the people of Japan at this time of tragedy and fear.
Prayers will be offered for you in churches throughout the Church of Ireland on Sunday
next and we stand ready to render what assistance we can.
May the God of grace and comfort sustain you in your present trials."
+Alan Armagh
The Most Revd Alan Harper OBE, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland