I REMEMBER on VJ day last year calling for compensation to be given to those who suffered so horribly in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Thank God that something has now been done about it. Some compensation is going to be given by our government to those who endured such terrible conditions.

For some people the compensation will seem like too little too late, but at least the suffering has been acknowledged publicly.

What we need now is for Japan to accept this liability. It is an honourable thing for the British Government to acknowledge the injustice, but surely Japan needs to shoulder the responsibility too.

One of the most moving films I saw as a teenager was the story of Bishop Wilson of Birmingham, who had been a prisoner of war in the Far East. After the war he came across one of the guards who has tortured him. He not only forgave this man but also Confirmed him into the Church.

Forgiveness like that is very impressive. I'm not sure how easy I would find it to forgive someone who tortured me. Thank God that the bishop was given the strength by the Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness isn't easy. To forgive someone who has wronged you is a very hard and costly thing to do. It is not the same as turning a blind eye, nor is it the same as trying to forget the wrong. And forgiveness doesn't rule out justice either.

I hope that those who survived the prison camps will be able to forgive as Bishop Wilson did. But I also hope that they will receive proper compensation and a proper apology from those who inflicted such pain.

Remembrance-tide is not just about reminiscing, although that it important. It is about forgiveness and justice too. Where forgiveness and justice do prevail it is a sure sign of God at work.

Michael Williams

Vicar of Bolton Parish Church