Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York in 1971, Msgr. Sakano holds a Master of Divinity degree from St. Joseph’s Seminary and a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University.

He has served as the Pastor of the Church of the Holy Innocents and The Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary in Manhattan.  After serving as Pastor of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral from 2007 to 2019, he retired at age of 75-years.

Msgr. Sakano served as Director of the Department of Neighborhood Preservation, Catholic Charities from 1981 to 1994.  He is the President and Chair of the Highbridge Community Development Corporation, the non-profit owner and manager of 2700-units of housing in the South Bronx.  He is the co-founder of Highbridge Voices founded in 1998 and the 33 Club (for Senior Citizens) in 1972 located in the Kips Bay area of Manhattan.

Msgr. Sakano serves as chaplain of AOH Division 9 New York County as well as the AOH New York County Board.