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 the PNGCP web site.

Please remember the Melanesian Brothers in your prayers.