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

• Solomon Star News
• Island Sun
• Vatican Radio
• Image: Island Sun

The Report contains the testimony of many of those affected by the five years of violence, the killings and the human rights abuses, as well as a number of recommendations to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Brown released all five volumes saying he was not confident the Government - who received it last February - would make it public.

"Having had such a long relationship with the Solomon Islands and knowing the situation and having in a sense been a part of it, I decided it's time to just let the report hit the general public."

The Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says Brown has acted "unlawfully".

Expressing his disappointment from Bangkok where here is attending the 69th Session of the Economic Commission of the Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), Mr Lilo said:

"I don't expect such an action to come from a person of Bishop Brown's caliber."

"The bishop has broken all the confidentialities accorded to him by responsible authorities including the Solomon Islands Government.

"Also, in this case he has no right to publish the report as it is the property of the Government," Mr Lilo said.

When asked by Annell Husband, on Radio New Zealand, about the legality of his action Brown relied: "I did sign a contract as an editor and the report isn't my property to release. It's within the prime minister's jurisdiction to release it, so who knows? It would take a lawyer to say. But I think that you possibly could say that I've released a confidential document that shouldn't have been released. So there is a legal question there, I admit."

The Solomon Islands Attorney General has also described the decision as totally irresponsible.

The Report contains the testimony of many of those affected by the five years of violence, the killings and the human rights abuses, as well as a number of recommendations to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Bishop Brown has returned to Canada after working in the Solomons for 17 years

Source

• Radio Australia
• Solomon Star
• Solomon Star
• Radio Australia
• TVNZ
• SBS
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: