'A huge loss.' In remote Nagasaki islands, a rare version of Christianity heads toward extinction

In remote Nagasaki islands, a rare version of Christianity heads toward extinction.

Hidden Christians were forced to hide all visible signs of their religion after the 1614 ban on Christianity .

Now, though, the Hidden Christians are dying out, and there is growing certainty that their unique version will die with them.

Hidden Christians rejected Catholicism after the persecution ended because Catholic priests refused to recognize them as real Christians .

The last confirmed baptism ritual was in 1994 , and some estimates say there are less than 100 Hidden Christians left on Ikitsuki .

Hidden Christians ’ ceremonies often include the recitation of Latin chants, called Orasho .

“Hidden Christianity itself will go extinct sooner or later, and that is inevitable, but I hope it will go on at least in my family,” he said. “That’s my tiny glimmer of hope.” ___ Tokyo photographer Eugene Hoshiko contributed to this story. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP ’s collaboration with The Conversation US , with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content..