■ 2002 June

IRFO had a Regular Meeting
On 7 June, International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) held the second regular meeting of this year at the international conference room in the Konko Church of Izuo with 65 attendees from Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and New Religions. Mr. Kazuaki Harada, a famous economist, was invited as a lecturer, and he gave the commemorative lecture in the theme of asset management of religious people.

attendees listening to Mr. Harada

They also adopted the request for both Indian and Pakistan government about Kashmir issue that strains their relationship. Some TV news programs including National Broadcasting (NHK) reported the meeting.

Attended Conferences in Africa
From 9 to 18 June, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, attended first African Religious Leaders Assembly on Children and HIV/AIDS and World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) International Governing Board Meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on behalf of the Most Rev. Toshio Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church.

Rev. Miyake at the general meeting

The most urgent issue in Africa, "the land which has all kind of problem in the world" is challenge against HIV/AIDS as well as ethnic conflicts, food crisis, poverty, disease, and environment destruction. According to statistics, there are 28.1 million HIV/AIDS patients in Africa, on the south of Saharan desert, that is 3 quarter of that in the world, 39.5 million. It is serious by itself moreover it's becoming a social problem that many children loose the guardian because of AIDS. The first African Religious Leaders Assembly was held in order to tackle with the situation.

The 4th WCRP World Assembly (WCRP4) was also held in Nairobi 18 years ago, at that time, the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the Founder of Izuo Church, took the initiative to carry out various relief projects. He was selected as one of 5 international presidents then, at the same time he was appointed as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He insisted that it had no meaning only to hold meeting, and proposed a lot of projects around Africa. Especially Kenya has a deep relationship with Izuo Church because Izuo Church donated pipeline and water supply system to refugees' camp in Bungoma to reply for request from UNHCR.

Rev. Miyake delivering a greeting

The opening ceremony started with ethnic welcome music. First, the consulting organization of 5 greatest NGOs taking relief activities on African children reported its activities with videotapes. Then Ambassador S. Luis, a special consultant for UN Secretary General, Dr. W Vendley, Secretary General of WCRP, and Mr. M Mohamed, Kenyan Minister of Welfare, delivered an opening address. The representatives from 30 African countries attended the plenary session. Following the opening ceremony, representatives from Islam, Hindu, and Christianity each announced their principle to the problem.

Attendees also visited the spots where relief activities are really carried out in downtown. Rev. Y Miyake took part in the tour to the orphanage that a widow runs.

visiting to orphanage

On the third day of the conference, they reviewed the resolution and decided the action plan according to the session in the previous day. The closing ceremony was also filled with play and song performed by children. The conference was benevolent and positive fitting for African character. The moderators, Bishop Gunnar Stoersett of Oslo 　from the Church of Norway, and Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Vice Chair of Roman Catholic Bishop's Conference of Africa, leaded the conference superiorly and spoke well-managed. The conference was very high quality thanks to them.

Following the conference, WCRP International Governing Board meeting started on 12 June. WCRP board members met African religious leaders on the first day to present their interest in Africa where few domestic chapters of WCRP had been established, it was an opportunity to build the chapters in African countries.

WCRP International Governing Bboard meeting

Mr. Simon Xavier Guerand-Hermes, who has succeeded the Chair of Finance Committee (Treasurer) from the late Rev. Toshio Miyake since 1994, reported the decrease of running asset in response to the recession of US financial market. Izuo Church's $10,000 contribution to the conference was greatly admired in such a situation.

Rev. Miyake visited Japanese Embassy in Nairobi to meet Minister Ryuhei Hosoya. On the next day, he tried to reach a small town by plane and automobile, to meet residences who had interest in Konko-kyo, however, he was prevented by bad weather on the way to the town and just talked on the phone several times.

Condolences to the late Ven. Kosho Otani
On 19 June, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo, visited the Otanis in Kyoto with Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake in order to offer his condolences to the late 23rd Monshu, His Holiness Ven. Kosho Otani, the former Patriarch of the Jodo-Shin-shu Hongwanji-ha (a Pure Land Buddhism School). The Jodo-Shin-shu Hongwanji-ha is the largest religious organization in Japan commonly called Nishi-Hongwan-ji Temple.

Condolences to the 24th Monshu, His Holiness Ven. Koshin Otani by Rev. Miyake

75th Youth Association General Meeting
On 23 June, Youth Association of Konko Church of Izuo held the commemorative Annual Meeting at Izuo Church, following thanks giving ceremony leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated. Mr. Shoichro Yoshimura, President of the Association, delivered an opening address, then Mr. Sinya Naraki and Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshimura made a speech on behalf of the members.

members listening to Mr. Oyama

The commemorative lecture was given by Mr. Naotaka Oyama, Chair of Japan Rescue Association (JRA), titled "Contribution to the Society with Dogs." JRA is a volunteer organization established in 1995 by those who were impressed with activities of rescue dogs sent from abroad to aid the victims of Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake.

It sent rescue dogs to Taiwan, India, Turkey and so on, on the occasion of great earthquake. It has expanded the organization and activities so it's adopted as a Non Profitable Organization (NPO). Mr. Oyama explained their support dogs to assist disabled people, the therapy dog activity in the purpose of comforting elderly people in nursery home as well as their rescue activities. He lectured how to make others delighted.

Mr. Oyama lectured eagerly

Following the commemorative lecture, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, offered a prayer then Ms. Kiyomi Takeda was awarded as the Member of the Year. After the general meeting, they had a reception at the hall of Izuo Church, it was the 75th year since the establishment of the association, so there attended a lot of the former members.

ACRP 6th Assembly in Indonesia
From 22 to 29 June, Asian Conference of Religion and Peace (ACRP) held the 6th Assembly in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director, attended the Conference from Konko Church of Izuo on behalf of the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Honorary President of the WCRP.

President Megawati delivering complimentary speech

ACRP was established as sister organization of World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) in response to proposal of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the founder of Izuo Church, and the late Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, in 1977. The 6th Assembly was held in the ancient city Jogjakarta, Indonesia. It had been scheduled to be held in the last autumn, however, it had been postponed because of Sep. 11 terrorism and following international situations.

Rev. Miyake sat in the first line with President

On the morning of 24 June, the 6th ACRP World Conference was opened under the theme of "Asia: compromised people" with approx. 300 religious leaders from Asian countries. They took elaborate security precautions against terrorism. Following the opening address delivered by Mr. Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat, ACRP Moderator, an original dance was performed by the local university students, and Indonesian President Megawati and the local Governor gave a welcome message. They also received a congratulatory video message from South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

Rev. Miyake greeting to Sultan at the reception

Various lectures, workshops, and general meetings were held in these five days. It was remarkable that the US standard which is accepted around the world was criticized severely in a lot of field here.

They visited Buddhist heritage Borobudur in order to learn Indonesian culture that is harmony of Hinduism and Islam. They were also invited to reception at Sultan's Palace and enjoyed conversation with various Asian people, exchange their culture and deepened understanding each other in a courtesy atmosphere.

at the general meeting

During the conference, the late Rev. Toshio Miyake was introduced as one of the ACRP leaders who passed away since the previous Assembly. The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake was elected as one of the international board members whose term is till the next Assembly.