The spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Justin Welby, has prayed before a monument to seven Anglican martyrs in the Solomon Islands.
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