Summary of Paul McCarthy's talk
(Paul is a frequent visitor to our group. In addition to many years of teaching English Literature in Japan, he is a translator of Japanese Literature. He has also translated works by Atsushi Nakajima, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, and Ryotaro Shiba. Paul McCarthy | Translators | Japanese Literature Publishing Project:JLPP
Paul talked about his spiritual journey with a big focus on his childhood and youth ( in Minnesota) and his experiences growing up as a devout Roman Catholic. He talked about Catholic devotion and articles of faith including the sacraments and transubstantiation. He spoke about sin which requires repentance, oral confession to and absolution by a priest, and the performance of a set penance. We heard about the power of prayer and the role of rosaries (prayer beads).
He talked about purgatory --a temporary middle state between heaven and hell for souls after death from which one may eventually enter heaven. He felt there was little chance of his going directly to heaven but believed that like most repentant Catholics he would eventually enter heaven after time in purgatory . From childhood he was taught to fear damnation in hell (the end for most non believers and unrepentant sinners). Catholic beliefs in purgatory resulted in prayers for the dead becoming important and efficacious for those loved ones caught in the in-between state.
We heard about the impact on his life of his pious father and home, strict Catholic school and regular church attendance where he sang in the choir and served as an acolyte. He found the rules or rhythm of Catholic practices and rituals a tremendously powerful and satisfying kind of devotion.
This was Catholicism before the reforms agreed during the discussions (1962-8) of Vatican II. These reforms included more openness to other religions or at least Christians, vernacular not Latin mass, priests facing the congregation, lay people receiving the consecrated wine as well as the host (consecrated bread). and fewer rules for daily living
He said he left the Catholic Church (and has never really returned) in college during the tumult and protests of the Vietnam war. After experiencing Soto-shu Zen and Pure Land Buddhism for more than a decade, he found a home if not a denominational label, in Anglican(called Episcopal in USA) congregations. First while teaching at the universities of Kansas and Minnesota, and then later in Japan, at Rikkyo (Anglican founded) and until retirement at Surugadai University, in Saitama. He has ended up for many years at St Alban’s parish, Shibakoen, where he supports the parish by paying annual pledges (a kind of promised dues)) and serves on various projects, but has not officially been received into the Anglican communion. He adds that he has never been in a group of any faith that he values more than St. Alban’s.
Asked what he seeks in religion in conclusion he said, fellowship, peace of mind, and encouragement to do good works of social engagement. He encouraged us to investigate the “Deeper Service Group” (at St Alban’s) where he volunteers to befriend detainees in prisons waiting for visa/refugee status approval after breaking visa regulations.
Peggy
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