04/24/2022
Today in the Church's calendar, we commemorate the Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Solomon Islands.
In 2003 the Solomon Islands experienced a period of civil unrest. Members of the Melanesian Brotherhood became caught up in this and eventually seven of them were killed. One of the leading guerilla rebels was Harold Keke, who led the Guadalcanal Liberation Army in the remote and underdeveloped Weather Coast (south coast) of the Island. Some time early in 2003 Brother Nathaniel Sado went to see Keke. He knew Harold Keke and called him a friend. That trust was misplaced and he was the first to die, being tortured and beaten to death about Easter that year (Easter Day was 20th April).
Six other Brothers set off from Honiara on 23rd April to find out what had happened to Nathaniel Sado, following up reports that he had been murdered by Keke and his men. They wanted to find out if this was true, the reason for his death, and to bring his body back to Tabalia (the Motherhouse of the Melanesian Brotherhood) for burial. The six Brothers did not return. They were Robin Lindsay, assistant head of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Francis Tofi, Alfred Hill, Ini Paratabatu, Patteson Gatu, and Tony Sirihi.
For over three months the community waited day and night, hoping and praying for their safety. Making contact with Keke was difficult. The reports and news they received were that the Brothers were being held hostage but were alive and well. In June five Novices and two Brothers in the neighbouring district of Mbanbanakira were also taken hostage. Eventually they were released – Keke seemed in a reconciliatory mood. The Melanesian Brotherhood were thankful to get the Novices back safely, but what was worrying was that during their captivity none of them had seen any sign of the original six Brothers. Then their worst fears were confirmed. The Melanesian Brotherhood was officially informed by the police that Keke had admitted that all six were dead.
Robin Lindsay had great leadership skills. He was popular wherever he went. He was brilliant at resolving conflicts and helping everyone feel valued and part of the community. Francis Tofi was prepared to speak out, to condemn violence and the use of weapons and to protect the lives of others even at the risk of great personal danger. Alfred Hill was young, quiet and humble. He trained in malaria research and qualified to read blood slides at the local clinic. Ini Paratabatu was a brilliant actor and a key member of outreach dramas. He spoke out against injustice, even confronting the police when he believed their methods were unjust. Patteson Gatu was full of joy. Tony Sirihi had no close parental care when he was young and found in the Brotherhood a real family and home. From being a shy novice, he developed into a stocky and bold brother but never lost his simplicity. Throughout the tensions he continued to help the disarmament process.
The funerals of the seven Brothers were very moving. The bodies of six of the Melanesian Brothers were buried at the Motherhouse of the Brotherhood on 24th October 2003. Robin Lindsay, whose funeral took a little longer to arrange, was buried there on 5th November.
At Robin Lindsay’s funeral, perhaps the most powerful moment was when the Brothers and Novices gathered to kneel around the coffin to show their last respects, linked to the coffin and to one another by outstretched hands, by the song they sang, and by their combined tears. Then together as one community they slowly lifted the coffin onto the shoulders of six of their Brothers to take him to his final resting place where his relatives sang in his mother tongue.
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