Parish Outreach

Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood

Peace-making

During the "ethnic tension" of 1999-2000 in the Solomon Islands over Malaitan immigration to Guadalcanal, the Brotherhood participated in peace-making efforts, often camping between factions, praying with them and negotiating the release of hostages. On behalf of the government, they collected weapons and disposed of them at sea.

The Townsville Peace Agreement was signed in October 2000, but one warlord would not comply and continued to cause trouble. Early in 2003, three brothers went to his camp on the Weather Coast, on the opposite side of Guadalcanal from Honiara, with a letter from the archbishop, but were unable to meet with him to deliver it. One of them, Brother Nathaniel Sado, knew the warlord and insisted on staying to reason with him. After a week he had not returned, and on Easter the Brothers heard by radio that he had been killed.

On 2003-04-23, six brothers set out by canoe to investigate, and they did not return. After many anxious weeks, on 2003-08-08 the Police Commissioner was able to inform the Brotherhood that all six were dead. A few days later, the militants surrendered. The bodies of the seven brothers were exhumed and brought back to Tabalia, and were interred there on 2003-10-24.

Recognition

Melanesian Chaplains to Lambeth 2008

Melanesian Chaplains to the 2008 Lambeth Conference proceed to the West Chapel of Canterbury Cathedral to install an icon of the seven martyred brothers.
Photo © Lambeth Conference

Canterbury

In June of 2004, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams visited Tabalia to bless the graves of the martyrs. While there he was admitted as a Companion of the order.

A delegation of members of the four Anglican religious orders of Melanesia served as chaplains to the 2008 Lambeth Conference. During the final service of the conference, they installed in Canterbury Cathedral an icon of the slain brothers.

Rome

In 2000, Pope John Paul II set aside the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome to the memory of new martyrs, in the care of the Community of Sant'Egidio. On November 22, 2006, on a trip to visit Pope Benedict XVI, Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, presided at an ecumenical prayer service there and deposited memorabilia belonging to the martyred brothers: a medallion; a sash; a walking stick.

Melanesia

The Church of Melanesia commemorates these seven martyrs of the church on April 24.