wfn.org | ACNS3583 Melanesian Brothers remembered in Mass of Requiem and

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3583     |     ENGLAND	|     19 SEPTEMBER 2003 

Melanesian Brothers remembered in Mass of Requiem and Thanksgiving

by Matthew Davies 

The lives of Brother Robin Lindsay and his companions - the seven
Melanesian Brothers murdered in the Solomon Islands - were remembered in
a Mass of Requiem and Thanksgiving yesterday at St Philip's Church in
Earls Court, London.

In May six brothers, led by Robin Lindsay, had gone to visit the
guerrilla leader, Harold Keke, on Guadalcanal - part of the Solomon
Islands - to ask for the body of Nathaniel Sado, a Melanesian brother
who had been murdered by Keke's men at Easter. They never returned.

Between May and August, during all the time of prayer and fasting, it
was believed that the brothers were being held hostage but were alive
and well. In June, five novices and two more brothers were also taken
hostage but released soon afterwards with assurances that their fellow
brothers were still alive. On 8 August, Harold Keke told an
Australian-led intervention force that the brothers were dead.

The Primate of the Church of Papua New Guinea, the Most Revd James
Ayong, who was presiding at the service yesterday, said, "We have come
here today to remember before God our brothers: Robin Lindsay, Francis
Tofi, Alfred Hill, Ini Paratabatu, Patteson Gatu, Tony Sirihi and
Nathanial Sado; to give thanks for their lives; to commend them to God
our merciful redeemer and judge; and to comfort one another in our
grief."

During the sermon, the Rt Revd Roger Jupp, Bishop of Popondota, said,
"It seems unthinkable and unfair that six young innocent brothers who
went out in faith and love to search for their lost brother should be
murdered in cold blood."

Bishop Roger urged us to stand with the brotherhood in their sorrow and
grief whilst they come to terms with the brutal murder of their fellow
Christian men. "There is only one place to turn to at times like these
and that is the cross of Jesus Christ," he said. "Now [the brothers]
will triumph with Christ in his victory over sin, evil and death."

The Melanesian Brotherhood was founded by Ini Kopuria, a native Solomon
Islander from Guadalcanal, in 1925. Its main purpose was evangelistic,
to take and live the Gospel in the most remote islands and villages
throughout the Solomon Islands, among people who had not heard the
message of Christ. The Brotherhood now has three regions: Solomon
Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu & Fiji and they have recently
opened a house in Palawan, the Philippines.

After the service, Archbishop Ayong thanked everyone for their prayerful
support and encouragement. "When I received all your messages I felt
like I was experiencing a resurrection into a new life," he said. "I'll
go back and cherish all your support."

Other services of thanksgiving will take place in Chester Cathedral at
5pm on Saturday 20 September and Little St Mary's, Cambridge, at 7:30am
and 12:30pm on Friday 26 September. Further information may be found at:
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/pngcpluxton/PNGChurchPartnership.htm

Please remember the Melanesian Brothers in your prayers.

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 6,000 journalists and other readers around
the world.  For subscription information please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html