Br. Tolbon Diwaero was killed late last Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning (Sept. 15-16) by unidentified persons on his way back to Domara Household, the church reported via Facebook.

Br. Kelliot Betu, regional secretary of the Papua New Guinea Melanesian Brotherhood Region, said that it appeared Diwaero was "mistakenly murdered" as he passed a village where there was a clash between two groups. Further details about the incident are unknown at present.

Last year another member of the Melanesian Brotherhood was killed, and two others were badly beaten in a street attack in Honiara, the Solomon Islands.

The Melanesian Brotherhood are an Anglican religious community based primarily in the Solomon Islands, but which is expanding into other parts of the world.

It was founded in in 1900 by Ini Kopuria, a Solomon Islander on the Island of Guadalcanal.

Source

• episcopaldigitalnetwork.com
• anglicannews.org
• Image: anglicannews.org

Solomon Star West Guadalcanal stringer John Toki reported that more than 30 members of the Melanesian Brothers, Selwyn College students and members of the surrounding communities participated in the program.

The Melanesian Brotherhood was founded by Ini Kopuria, a Solomon Islander on the Island of Guadalcanal, in 1900.

After being educated at the Anglican church schools of Pamua and later in Norfolk Island he joined the British Protectorate's native armed police force.

In 1924, when he was recovering in hospital from a leg injury, he received an experience of Christ, which was to change his life.

He believed that Christ had spoken to him and told him that he was not doing the work that Christ wanted him to do.

He began, with the encouragement of Bishop John Manwaring Steward, to realise God was calling him to start a community of indigenous Solomon Island men who would evangelise people in the most remote islands and villages throughout Solomon Islands; people who had not heard the message of Christ.

The Brothers went out in pairs and lived as brothers to the people, respecting their traditions of everyday life.

They take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years that can be renewed.

Today, the work of the Brotherhood has reached other countries beyond Solomon Islands.

The Melanesian Brotherhood has three regions in the Pacific:

• Solomon Islands - includes Brothers in the Philippines and Vancouver
• Papua New Guinea
• Southern Region - that includes Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Diocese of Polynesia.

The Brotherhood became well known around the world for their efforts at peace-making during the ethnic tension that existed in the Solomon Islands from 1998 to 2003 .

Source

• solomonstarnews.com
• ordersanglican.org
• Image: orderanglican.org

Novice Jackson Lodo and another novice were walking to Tabalia from the capital Honiara when they were the victims of an unprovoked attack on the evening of Thursday 30 October.

Jackson was killed and his companion, a third year novice, was violently assaulted but managed to escape.

The Melanesian Brothers, or Tasiu, as they are known locally, are recognised peace-makers and local media had reported outrage in the community over the brother's death.

The funeral for Jackson was held on November 1.

The Head Brother, Matthias Tovotasi, and primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia, Archbishop Philip Richardson, have both asked people to pray for the victims, the religious community and the victims' families.

The Melanesian Brothers are an Anglican religious community based primarily in the Solomon Islands, but which is expanding into other parts of the world.

It was founded in in 1900 by a Ini Kopuria, a Solomon Islander, on the Island of Guadalcanal.

Listen to Interview with Alphonse Garimae, secretary with the Mother House of the Melanesian Brotherhood in Tabalia, West Guadalcanal.

Source

• Anglicannews.org
• Solomontimes
• Radio New Zealand
• PacificBeat
• Image: abmission.org

Our correspondent says both locals and expatriates at north west Guadalcanal have expressed horror at the killing of Brother Jackson Lodo.

It is reported he was set upon by a group of men early last Thursday while walking on the Vura Rd.

His companion, a third year novice brother, was badly hurt and is in hospital in Honiara.

Source

Radio New Zealand International

The Archbishop of Canterbury, who was making brief visits to Asia and Oceania Anglican primates, was in the Solomons before departing for Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia.

On August 11, Archbishop Welby and his delegation visited the cemetery where the martyred Christians are buried.

The archbishop unveiled and blessed a monumental cross.

In April 2003, seven members of an Anglican religious community known as the Melanesian Brotherhood were killed as they tried to bring lasting peace between rival factions waging war in the Solomon Islands.

Archbishop Welby paid tribute to the members of the brotherhood who lost their lives in the name of peace.

"The Church would always remember their service and work as brothers for this country,'' Archbishop Welby said.

He said he was very pleased to see the work and contribution of the Melanesia Brotherhood to the Anglican Common in the Solomon Islands and throughout the world today.

In 2004, the then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams visited the Solomons and also paid tribute to the fallen brothers.

During his visit, Archbishop Welby also met Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

They discussed recent flooding in the Pacific nation and its upcoming elections, as well as contributions by the Solomons to the international community and trade issues.

Archbishop Welby said a prayer and dedicated the Solomon Islands, its people and government to God.

Sources

• Solomon Star News
• Island Sun
• Vatican Radio
• Image: Island Sun

She spoke with Philippa Hitchen about the work of the brothers and the memory of their martyrdom contained in the Basilica of St Bartholomew on Rome's Tiber Island.

Listen:

The book launch took place in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome. The Basilica was dedicated in 2000 by Pope John Paul II to the new martyrs of the 20^th and 21^stcenturies. The moving memorial, managed by the Sant'Egidio Community, is significant because it is ecumenical.

The martyrs are not all Catholic. "Racconti di Pace in Oceania" ("Tales of Peace in Oceania") is about seven men who came from the global Anglican communion.

These were the Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, a community of religious men who serve Melanesians of all ethnicities, tribes and backgrounds in the Solomon Islands.

They had success when others - the international community, local authorities, even local churches - despaired or looked the other way. And the shock of their sacrifice forced the train of events that pulled the Solomon Islands back from the abyss.

Source

• Vatican Radio
• UK Embassy in the Holy See
• Image: Vatican Radio