Japanese cardinal-designate says nomination sign of care for migrants

Published: 2003-10-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Japanese Cardinal-designate Stephen Fumio Hamao said his nomination to the College of Cardinals was a sign of Pope John Paul II's concern for all people on the move, whether for political, economic or cultural reasons. The 73-year-old prelate is president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, a Vatican office that coordinates the pastoral care of refugees, seafarers, Gypsies, circus workers and others who live or work far from home. Pope John Paul announced Sept. 28 that the former bishop of Yokohama, Japan, would enter the College of Cardinals Oct. 21. The cardinal-designate told a Japanese Catholic newspaper he saw his nomination as a "sign of the pope's interest in and support" for the people under the council's care, reported UCA News, an Asian Catholic news agency based in Thailand.

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