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Reconciliation Service at Canterbury Cathedral

 

 

An evensong Service of Reconciliation, attended by members of the International Friendship and Reconciliation Trust, was held at  Canterbury Cathedral on 21 August 2011.  Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi and a number of diplomats from the Embassy of Japan were present at  the event, which was also attended by more than 100 guests including Councillor Ian Thomas, Lord Mayor of Canterbury.

 

The service is held each year at the Cathedral, and is an event where many people concerned, both British and Japanese, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, come together in a spirit of reconciliation and friendship in the wake of the events of World War II.

 

The Embassy of Japan has been actively cooperating with the organisers of the event with a view to supporting the reconciliation activities between Japan and the United Kingdom.

(L to R) Mr Christopher Chalk, International Friendship and Reconciliation Trust (IFRT); Canon Claire Edwards, Vice Dean; Mrs Phillida Purvis, IFRT; Mr Ian Thomas, Lord Mayor of Canterbury; Mrs Keiko Holmes, AGAPE; Mr George Housego; and Ambassador Hayashi   
At the beginning of the service, Mr George Housego, a Veteran of WWII, read a poem which commemorated all those who lost their lives during the conflict.  It was followed by a reading delivered by Dr Keith Wren, Vice Chancellor of Chaucer College, Canterbury, expressing the deep aspiration for world peace and universal brotherhood.  The concluding remarks were read by Colonel Peter Gilbert, a serving officer.  The service was sung by the Priory Singers.

 

 

 

 

 

 
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