Japanese Church releases
theme song for Pope’s visit
“Protect All Life” is the theme and logo of the visit of
Pope Francis to Japan, 23 to 26 November. Japanese bishops have now released the
theme song of the visit.
By Robin Gomes
“Protect All Life” is a phrase in “A Christian prayer in
union with creation”, the second part of the final prayer that
concludes Pope Francis' 2015 Encyclical, “Laudato
Si”.
The lyrics of the theme song are by Jun Inoue who also
scored the music together with Amadeus Code Ai. Arranged by Gyo Kitagawa
it was performed by Dreamers Union Choir.
The music is available in choral, instrumental, karaoke and
choreography versions on the official Japanese website and YouTube channel
of the papal visit.
Releasing the theme song, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of Japan (CBCJ) explained on the website that each of us has received the gift
of life, created in the image of God, and is being led to our eternal homeland
together with all people. Creation, they said, is also designed and
maintained by God “to be lived in” (Isaiah 45,18). Hence, in order to
“protect all life”, we must respect not only each person’s dignity but also the
environment.
However, the bishops expressed concern that the earth, “our
common home”, is being trampled by humankind and groans with pain that overlap
with the distress of all the abandoned people of the world.
The bishops noted that in Japan today, there is a multitude
of problems related to life and peace in addition to issues such as economy,
environment and relations with neighbouring countries. Recovery from
natural catastrophes and nuclear plant accidents remains a persisting problem.
The Church in Japan is making every effort to protect each
life and respond to the various issues related to human life. “This theme
of the Pope’s visit to Japan,” the bishops said, “expresses our determination
to proclaim the Gospel of life brought by Christ, and to pray and work for the
peace of Christ.”
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét