Archbishop Joseph Pittau, S.J.

Photo (c) Mike Milward and the Jesuits of Japan

Many persons may be saddened to hear that the former President of Sophia University Joseph Pittau passed away last night (2014 Dec. 26), at about 10:00 PM, in Loyola House, Kamishakujii, Tokyo.  Pittau was born on October 20, 1928, entered the Society of Jesus on April 18, 1945, and became a priest on March 18, 1959.  He arrived in Japan in 1952 as a Jesuit missionary, and spent most of his academic life at Sophia University.  His stature is so great that I expect there will be a couple of biographies about him soon.  Everyone at Sophia, especially senior faculty and staff, speaks so respectfully and admiringly of him that one cannot help feeling he must have been an intellectual, administrative, and spiritual giant.

I've known him since the 1970s, and he always struck me as a very unassuming, simple, open-minded and generous person.  He never put on airs or acted superior, but acted very amicably and kindly with all.  Even when he was the Rector of S. J. House (1975-1981), he would serve at table and do other menial tasks cheerfully.  He played a very important role in the development of Sophia University, for it was during his tenure as Chancellor (1968-1975) and President (1975-1981) that Sophia grew into a noteworthy university.  Pittau came to be well-recognized around Japan especially after he solved the student-revolt crisis at Sophia in the late 1960s, when all the major universities too were affected by student revolts.  I've heard it said that Pittau was the very first university Administrator to call the Police inside the campus to defuse the crisis.  Among his lasting contributions were the democratic process of electing a President (voted not only by the faculty, but also by the staff), the increase in the number of students (from about 5,000 to 10,000), the addition or re-arrangement of several departments and faculties.   Most admirable, according to many, was his foresight, arising from his dream of making Sophia a university that can significantly contribute to Japan by remaining faithful to its Jesuit/Catholic calling.   He was especially interested in making Sophia an international university, bringing in not only European, Australian, and American professors but also Asian ones from countries like India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Sri Lanka.

After serving as President of Sophia University, Pittau moved on to become the Jesuit Provincial Superior of Japan (30 October 1980), and it was in that capacity that he welcomed Pope John Paul II to Japan in February 1981.  He made sure that all the Jesuits in Japan appeared presentable as 'clerics' before the Pope (e.g., wearing a roman collar).  It is said that the Pope was so satisfied with the Jesuits in Japan that he exclaimed, "Would that the Jesuits around the world were like Jesuits in Japan!"  Whether this anecdote is true or not, there is no doubt that the Pope looked highly on Pittau, for when the hardworking and saintly Jesuit General Pedro Arrupe became incapacitated, the Pope personally requested Pittau to take over the reins of governing the Society of Jesus (together with the visually handicapped Fr. Dezza).  Thus Pittau became the Coadjutor Delegate on October 31, 1981, taking his new post in Rome. Those were hard times for the Society of Jesus, and there were wild rumors of it getting suppressed a second time.   Many would credit the Jesuit reconciliation with the Vatican bureaucracy and its resurgence to the labors of Fr. Dezza and Fr. Pittau.   After the Society was brought back to its normal working order, Pittau served the Church and the Society in several capacities, traveling to several countries and continents.  He was Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University from 1992 to 1998, and a delegate for the Civilta Cattolica.  Subsequently he became the Secretary of the Congregation for Education.   He was also bestowed the ecclesiastical rank of "Titular Archbishop of Castro di Sardegna" on July 11, 1998 and received the episcopal ordination on September 26, 1998.

After his international labors outside Japan were over, Archbishop Pittau returned to Japan in 2004, serving for one year in the Ofuna Parish, near Kamakura, and then moving to S. J. House within Sophia University in 2005.  While he stayed at S. J. House, he lectured on invitation to several honorable assemblies, and made an appearance in many ecclesiastical and academic events..  About six years or so ago, his eyesight became so weak that he needed special assistance for reading or writing.   He could not even watch TV or use a PC because of his eye-problems.  A few years ago (in 2011), he left S. J. House for Loyola House, where he was able to move about and even take part in his birthday parties--provided someone assisted him by holding his hand.  He looked always happy and cheerful.   A few weeks ago, he had to be hospitalized because of pneumonia, and for the past several days there was serious concern about his recovery.  Meanwhile two of his brothers (one of them a priest) had come to be close to him, and we may say he returned to his heavenly home as his blood brothers and Jesuit brothers bade him good-bye.

If there is one message for which Archbishop Pittau is best remembered, I think, it is "to think positive" or "to never lose hope."  Having been through various careers and having interacted with many different persons, he had a mature, non-judgmental, and grand view of persons, things, and events.   Even though he was well aware of scandals, struggles, and perhaps even deceits and deceptions,  he never lost hope and never spoke gloomily or despairingly.  He always looked upbeat and encouraged people around him to look at the brighter side and to labor to change imperfect situations with hope and confidence.   No doubt, his Christian faith and Jesuit vocation contributed much to his constant energy and cheerfulness.


["Pittau" version 2, modified 30 Dec. 2014, with the addition of several dates]

Farewells
December 28.  17:40 PM.  Wake at Loyola House, Kamishakujii
                       (a short walk from Musashiseki Station on Seibu Shinjuku line). 
December 29, 7:00 AM  Funeral Mass;
                      15:00 Cremation rites
January 14, 2015:  13:30 Funeral Mass at St. Ignatius Church [close to Sophia University]. Tokyo.

PS: [20141229] See http://www.news.va/en/news/popes-condolences-for-death-of-archb-giuseppe-pitt for Vatican Radio's version entitled: "Pope’s condolences for death of Archb. Giuseppe Pittau SJ".   I'm only honored that the Vatican Radio has taken lines from me, but since they have not properly acknowledged this Blog Brittonia as their source, let me assert here, just for the record, that whatever is found in this Pittau entry of Blog Brittonia and the site of Vatican Radio was originally written by me and subsequently taken by the Vatican Radio, and not the other way around!   [Previous entries of this blog too have been 'ripped' by others and that is fine, but it would be great if they acknowledge this source, as academic honesty requires some such courtesy.]

For your reference, I cite below the Vatican Radio write-up about Archbishop Pittau:

2014-12-27 Vatican Radio

Pope’s condolences for death of Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau SJ

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow and sent his condolences to his Jesuit brothers for the death of Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, SJ, who passed away on the night of December 26 in Kamishakujii, Tokyo.

Describing Archbishop Pittau as an “exemplary minister of God,” in his telegramme addressed to Father Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, Superior General of the Jesuit Order, the Pope recalls Pittau’s “generous missionary apostleship in Japan” and thanks God for the service he rendered to the Apostolic See and for how he dedicated himself to the Company of Jesus.

Please find below the translation of the text of the telegramme:

Reverend Father, having been informed to the passing away of His Excellency Monsignor Giuseppe Pittau, I wish to express my sincere condolences to you, to all his Jesuit brothers and to all those who grieve the death of an exemplary minister of God who lived for the cause of the Gospel. Recalling his generous missionary apostleship in Japan, where he ended his earthly life, I give thanks to the Lord for the service he rendered to the Apostolic See as Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education and for his work as President of Tokyo’s Sophia University as well as Rector of the Gregorian University in Rome and for his dedication to the Society of Jesus. Entrusting his soul to the maternal intercession of Our Lady I impart my Apostolic Blessing in the light of the Resurrection of Christ.
Franciscus P.P.

Born on the Italian Island of Sardinia in 1928, Giuseppe Pittau entered the Society of Jesus in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1959. He arrived in Japan in 1952 as a Jesuit missionary, and spent most of his academic life at Sophia University.

In the words of those who knew him and worked with him he was an “intellectual, administrative, and spiritual giant”.

He played a very important role in the development of Sophia University.  Among his lasting contributions were the democratic process of electing a President (voted not only by the faculty, but also by the staff), the increase in the number of students (from about 5,000 to 10,000), the addition or re-arrangement of several departments and faculties. Most admirable, according to many, was his foresight, arising from his dream of making Sophia a university that can significantly contribute to Japan by remaining faithful to its Jesuit/Catholic calling. He was especially interested in making Sophia an international university, bringing in not only European, Australian, and American professors but also Asian ones from countries like India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Sri Lanka.

After serving as President of Sophia University, Pittau moved on to become the Jesuit Provincial Superior of Japan, and it was in that capacity that he welcomed Saint Pope John Paul II to Japan in February 1981. When the hardworking Jesuit General Pedro Arrupe became incapacitated, the Pope personally requested Pittau to take over the reins of governing the Society of Jesus (together with the visually challenged Fr. Dezza). Pittau served the Church and the Society in several capacities, traveling to several countries and continents. He was bestowed the ecclesiastical rank of "Titular Archbishop of Castro di Sardegna" on July 11, 1998 and received the episcopal ordination on September 26, 1998.

After his international labors outside Japan were over, Archbishop Pittau returned to Sophia University and stayed at S. J. House, occasionally lecturing.
(from Vatican Radio) 

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Meeting Modi in Japan

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at last came to Japan in early September, 2014, after at least one postponement, and I happen to be one of the  hundreds in Japan who attended his talk, given at the Ambassador's Reception in Ascot Hall at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, on September 2.  Although the photos of his arrival in Osaka showed him wearing a dark suit, he seemed to have changed to mostly Indian-style clothes after a day or so.   At Hotel Okura, he appeared in a nice whitish 'kurta' (I believe that's what it's called:  long pyjama-like pants and a long, loose shirt, flowing to his knees), and a saffron vest.  Remarkably, the function began almost on time!  All the invitees, about a thousand, were asked to assemble before 6:30 PM, for his scheduled arrival at 7:00 PM.  All had to go through a rigorous security check inside the Hall, much like at Airports.  About ten minutes before the meeting, someone announced in English the basic procedure, and, frankly, that was the only message I understood during the whole meeting because from then on nobody spoke English or any other language intelligible to the majority!  The PM, accompanied by the Indian ambassador in Japan, Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa arrived around 7:05 and all welcomed him with a prolonged and enthusiastic applause.  There were also a few Japanese & Caucasians, men and women, but the majority were Indians from, I believe, all the Indian states.  After the usual National songs sung by the audience present, some 'Indian' children--presumably going to school in Japan--sang beautifully, accompanied by tabla and a string instrument that sounded like a piano.

Modi at Hotel Okura [Thanks to the Flickr contributor]

After being properly introduced, the Prime Minister began his speech--in Hindi or some north Indian language.  No doubt he gave an enthusiastic speech, for those who understood it laughed, clapped, nodded their head in agreement, and even shouted occasionally.  (Yes, I forgot to mention, even before Modi began, there were some from the crowd shouting short phrases in Hindi several times--something in appreciation, like "Long Live"--and every time, the whole crowd yelled back "Jai" or something like that.)  Of course, the people who didn't know Hindi--of whom, I'm sure there were nearly or more than half--simply clapped or nodded with the crowd without getting the point.

Although this PM has been quite admirable and charming, I cannot understand his insistence on speaking only Hindi without any translation.  India is NOT monolingual.   Although Hindi may have been given the status of the National Language in 1950, when the constitution was promulgated, it gave no right to any PM or government authorities to DENY the right to understand what he, as the Head of Government, was saying.  In fact, various corrections to the infamous "Hindi Only" policy have been enacted, and English STAYS as a secondary national language of India.  Surely, we can praise Modi for speaking Hindi or even Gujarati or Maratti or Punjabi, representing India--but he should have at least given out a summary or translation in English.  He seems to forget that he is the Prime Minister of the whole of India, not of only the north of India.  He is said to extemporize his speeches making them very personal and casual.  That is excellent too, but then he can have a live translator or at least pass on his basic ideas on a sheet of paper.  I think the whole language issue has caused much pain to all Indians.  Even though the Hindi pushers still try intensely to impose their will, pushing it too hard may rupture the country or stimulate the riots that were rampant in some parts of India in the 1960s.  Well, this language issue needs a longer article, so let me leave it at this.

After going specifically to hear the PM, I only 'heard' it, but 'understood' nothing but a few English words he dropped occasionally.  It was extremely disappointing.   As there was no way to ask anyone else during the meeting, I had simply to stay put and react with the crowd.   After his enthusiastic speech and even more enthusiastic applause and cheers were over, he came down from the dais and stood in front, flanked by the Ambassador and some other VIP, and greeted everyone.  Each row of about 25 persons went one by one, and shook his hands or bowed down in Indian fashion with hands folded like a lotus, or even fell down prostrate on his feet.  I went next to a Hindu priest living in Japan.  The ambassador, who remembered me, introduced me briefly to Modi, and I shook Modi's hands and passed on.  Officially, no one was allowed to bring a camera or spend more than a few seconds shaking hands.   There were many, of course, taking pictures in their iPhones and tried to carry on a conversation.  I tried to be 'rule-abiding' and so neither took any photo nor tarried to chat with the PM.

In the next room, there was a reception.  Most of the people glided over to that room, presumably catered by Hotel Okura itself rather than any of the many Indian restaurants.  The food seemed authentically Indian: rasgulla, rasmalai, curried vegetables, potato masala, chicken curry, curried fish, sandwiches, coffee, tea, etc. all served buffet style.   I was surprised to find non-veg dishes as I thought many Indians might be vegetarians.  Only the drinks were entirely non-alcoholic: orange juice, mango juice, ulon-cha, and water.

This 'casual' session of sharing a meal was very fruitful as I managed to extract the contents of Modi's speech from an Indian Swamy who seemed to have understood Hindi.  He told me that Modi's speech was down-to-earth and entertaining.  According to the Swamy, Modi encouraged Indians to be proud of their identity, and told them to invite at least five Japanese families to go with them each to India!   Modi also spoke of the economic disparities and issues of Indian filth, and promised to make India more modern and more hygienic.  Modi also spoke of giving the Bhagavad Gita to the Emperor, a typical Indian gift even though it may be religious.  Apparently Modi also cracked some jokes on his Chaiwalah (tea vendor) career and India's snake-charming reputation (which, he quipped, has now changed to the (computer) mouse-charming tradition!).  I was very greatful to the Swamiji for his summary and was delighted to know at least in brief what the PM had said.  I also met several old friends and made a few new ones.  It was great to meet the Indian Swamy, a Happy Science 'Kofuku no Kagaku' follower, and some from SriSri Ravishankar's "The Art of Living" foundation.   No doubt, the Japanese seem attracted by exotic Indian gurus like Kalki, Nithyananda, Saibaba, Amma, and so on.  The Indian community owes its thanks to the Indian Ambassador HE Wadhwa, for she was the one who made this get together and the wonderful dinner possible.  Thank you, Ambassador!

Overall, Modi seems to have had a successful visit.  The newspapers covered his visit reasonably well, though not in any 'mega-hit' fashion as sometimes they do for American or European VIP visits.  There were Indian flags in several streets around Yotsuya--e.g., in front of the detached palace, around New Otani Hotel, Akasaka Mitsuke, and so on.  It was surprising that Modi not only visited a school, but also visited the Seishin 'Sacred Heart' University, in Hiroo.   The Sacred Heart University is a well-known Catholic university, run by Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and among its illustrious alumnae are the current Empress Michiko of Japan and the former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogawa.  Given the misleading news-reports that Modi is biased against non-Hindus, it was great to read that Modi visited this Catholic university and spoke to students and faculty.  The online video shows him speaking Hindi, but, fortunately, there was someone translating what he said; so it was OK I believe.   The online images of Modi also show him sipping Tea Japanese style, trying his hand at drumming a taiko 'a big Japanese drum', visiting some Japanese temples, greeting students, and so on.  His economic mission too seems to have been successful, according to reports.

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