TOKYO Archbishop Isao Kikuchi said he was “deeply saddened and shocked” after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination and deplored violence as the answer to differing political opinions.
“Violence kills freedom. Violence kills justice,” he said during an interview with Radio Veritas Asia.
“The differences of political opinion have to be solved through dialogue and voting in freedom.
“Only dialogue provides a real solution to establishing justice and peace.”
On July 8, Japan’s longest-serving prime Shinzo Abe was shot during a campaign rally for local parliamentary candidates in the western city of Nara.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Tokyo to farewell the former leader at his funeral.
Archbishop Kikuchi noted the Catholic Church and Mr Abe had different opinions on various issues but shared a mutual respect.
“Mr Abe showed great respect to the Catholic Church, particularly to the Holy See, as he must have understood the influence of the Holy Father on international society over the peace issue,” he said.
Pope Francis met with Mr Abe during a 2019 visit to Japan.
“Mr Abe and the Holy Father met in Tokyo for a private discussion on several issues, and both agreed to continue to advocate for a world without nuclear weapons, the eradication of poverty, human rights, and the protection of the environment,” Archbishop Kikuchi said.
“No one has the right to use violence to silence opposition.
“I pray for his eternal rest and blessings to his family members.”
