Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen on the news of the death of six Anglican Melanesian Brothers

I know I speak on behalf of all Anglicans in NSW when I express profound shock and deep grief at the news that six members of the Anglican Melanesian Brotherhood have been murdered on the Solomon Islands.

They set off from Honiara on 23rd April to try to ascertain the whereabouts of another member of their Brotherhood who we now know had also been murdered.

In the last few days rebel leader Harold Keke has provided the information that they too are dead.

The names of the Brothers are Robin Lindsay, Francis Tofi, Alfred Hilly, Ini Ini Partabatu, Patteson Gatu, and Brother Tony.

They left Honiara to search for their fellow servant of God, putting their own security aside to try to bring back their brother to safety.

The members of this Order, who are all indigenous Solomon Islanders, devote their time in the brotherhood to the service of God and of their people. Their ministry of the gospel and their compassionate, pastoral care of the people are highly valued.

Their loss is undoubtedly a cause of deep grief for their family, the people of their own villages, and of the Islanders generally.

We assure the members of the Brotherhood, Archbishop Ellison Pogo, the bishops, clergy and people of the Anglican Church in the Solomon Islands that the members of the Anglican Church in NSW are upholding them in their prayers, and that we are praying for peace with justice for the people of the Solomons.

Dr Peter F Jensen
Archbishop of Sydney,
and Metropolitan of NSW
________________________________________________________________
CONTACT: 
Margaret Rodgers
61 2 9265 1507 (W) 0411 692 499 (mob)

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