Pope Francis appoints a CICM Filipino priest to head Japan diocese

On December 8, 2021 the Holy Father appointed Fr. Edgar Gacutan, CICM, member of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Missionaries of Scheut), currently parish priest of Matsubara, Tokyo, as Bishop of the Diocese of Sendai (Japan). Mgr. Edgar Gacutan, C.I.C.M., was born on September 23, 1964 in Enrile, Cagayan Province, in the Philippines. He is a member of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (C.I.C.M.) and professed his perpetual vows on June 2, 1991. From 1981 to 1985 he studied Philosophy at Saint Louis University in Baguio and from 1986 to 1989 Theology at Maryhill School of Theology in Manila. On February 27, 1990 he arrived in Japan and in 1993 he returned to the Philippines to complete his theological studies at the same University. He was ordained a priest on April 23, 1994 in Enrile, in May 1994 he was sent back to Japan.

In Sendai diocese, the population is 6,791,448 at end of 2017. Most residents are ethnic Japanese.