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In August, Japanese students and several
members of staff at
Stafford House College (the only student group to
receive an invitation to the occasion) were invited to a ceremony and
service of remembrance and reconciliation at Canterbury Cathedral, on the
first Sunday after the anniversary of the end of hostilities.
The service was conducted by The Very Reverend Robert Willis, Dean of
Canterbury, in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency
Masaki Orita, his wife and a number of Japanese diplomats who travelled from
London to mark the occasion.
During the special Evensong service, wreaths were laid on the High Altar by
ex-servicemen representing the former enemies, and two pre-school Japanese
children representing our hopes for the future. A very moving address by the
Dean of Canterbury was followed by a procession out to the Compass Rose in
the nave of the Cathedral, where an act of reconciliation took place within
the heart of the mother church of the Christian faith in England.
After the service the group from
Stafford House College were invited to tea
at the Cathedral Chapter House, where the students and staff mingled freely
and talked to the Ambassador and other dignitaries.
The Ambassador said: 'It is my great honour to have attended the service
here with you in the home of the Church of England. All of you here today,
including some who once fought against each other, care passionately about
peace and harmony and I sincerely share this sentiment with you'. |
