Tribute to ‘messengers of peace’
[*From Post-Courier. Appears to be The chaplain of the Melanesian
Brotherhood ministry in Honiara, Richard Carter]
IT was
confirmed by the Australian-led intervention force in
…….
It is hard for such news to sink in. These were six young innocent brothers who
went out in faith and in love in search of their Brother. It seems too much to bare that they should have been murdered in cold blood. I
would like to tell you a little about each one of them for each one will be so
missed:
Brother Robin
Lindsay is our assistant head brother and has been in the community for many
years. He was four years assistant head brother in
This year, because we needed someone of his experience so much he put his
studies at Bishop Patteson Theological College on
hold and came back to help as assistant head brother.
He has great leadership skills. I call him “the encourager” because he has time
for everyone and helps build on their strengths. e is
known and popular where ever he goes in PNG and
Brother Francis
Tofi from the time he was a novice was so bright and
attentive in all his studies. When you meet him you know straight away that
here is someone with a deep spiritual life and gentle wisdom.
He asked constant questions and understood intuitively what it meant to be a
brother. First in Malaita and then on the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal at the time of tension and its
aftermath he showed incredible courage. Here was a brother who was prepared to
speak out, to condemn violence and the use of weapons and protect lives of
others even at great personal danger. There are stories of how he was able to
resolve conflicts and rescue those who were being beaten or in danger from the
rebels. Early this year, the World Council of Churches offered him a place at
the Bossey Institute in
I was aware of the possible danger he was in working for disarmament and particularly
because he had not been afraid to speak out against Keke.
But his courage was very great.
He told me he was not frightened of dying in God’s service and in his work for
peace. I reminded him that God wants living sacrifices and he had his whole
life ahead of him. He laughed for death never really seems a possibility in one
so brave and full of life.
On Saturday, we packed his only possessions in a small grubby black rucksack. A few shirts, a couple of pairs of shorts, his uniform and some books
to return to his family. I cannot believe he is dead.
Brother Alfred Hilly. He is a young and humble brother. For
two years, he has been looking after
He makes sure they get fed at lunch time and has been helping young Selwyn
whose parents have deserted him, learn to read. This year, he trained in
malaria research and qualified to read blood slides at the local clinic. This
has been so helpful to all the religious communities who bring their blood
slides to him for the fast diagnosis of malaria. And now he is dead.
Brother Ini Ini
Partabatu, naughty and outspoken, brave and full of
energy. He is a brilliant actor and became a key member of my dramas and
joined me on the Brothers mission and tour to
Before joining the community he worked in the drama group of Solomon Islands
Development Trust performing dramas about development and health issues. Ini as a Brother has been brave to speak out against all
injustice. He even confronted the SI Police Force when he believed their
methods were unjust, brutal or failing to respect the rights of the people.
Brother Patteson Gatu. He is full of joy
and so motivated as a new Brother. He was only
admitted last October and always smiles from ear to ear when you meet him.
The last time I saw him just before Easter, he was telling me about when he was
fired at while trying to land on the beach as well as enthusing about a sermon
I had just preached. I was never quite sure whether he was not teasing! He had
such youth and warmth of faith. Not some narrow religiousity
but natural and real and strong.
And Brother
Tony, who had no close parental care when he was young and found in the
Brotherhood a real family and home. He developed from a shy, thin and humble
novice into a stocky and bold brother. But he never lost his simplicity.
I remember taking a retreat with him on a desert island in Lord Howe in which
we fended off clouds of mosquitoes all night. He was easy company and a natural
and unassuming friend to many of the brothers. He showed his courage throughout
the tension and continued to help the disarmament process.
Of one thing I am certain — these six men will live on in the hearts and minds
of our community. Their sacrifice seems too great, hard to believe. The
community sat up on Friday night telling stories of these brothers through the
night and trying to come to terms with the enormity of their loss.
And yet beneath the trauma there is a peace too. The knowledge that each of
these young men believed in peace and in goodness. They knew that there was a
better way. They were prepared to oppose violence and to risk much. At the end
of the day they stand against all acts of brutality which are at present
disfiguring our world and bravely, boldly, and with love, lived what most of us
proclaim only from the safety of a Church.
Oh how much the worldwide Anglican Church at the moment could learn from their witness. And when such real life issues are so much at stake
in our world, is not this what the Gospel should be?
There is hope. The intervention force says Keke is
willing to surrender his guns and even face trial. Perhaps our six brothers
will become like seeds which fell upon the ground and died but will yield the
harvest of peace these islands and our world so longs for.
With love and prayers.
REST IN PEACE
Br. Robin
Lindsay - PNG and Assistant Headbrother
Br. Francis Tofi - Tikopia,
SI
Br. Tony Sirihi - Makira,
SI
Br. Patteson Gatu -
Guadalcanal, SI
Br. Ini Paratabatu -
Guadalcanal, SI
Br. Alfred Hilly - Isabel, SI