Memories Of A Murder

The Anglican diocese of Melanesia, which has Us headquarters in Honiara, is celebrating a “holy year” to mark the centenary of the martyrdom of its first bishop—John Coleridge Patteson.

Bishop Patteson was killed on Nukapu Island in September 1871, in revenge for the kidnapping and killing of some native people by white men.

The “holy year” was promulgated last September by the present Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop John Chisholm. It will culminate in special services and a pilgrimage to the place of martyrdom in September this year.

Meanwhile, the “holy year” is being observed with other rituals and projects. In Honiara, in January, some relics recovered from London were ceremonially installed in the Patteson Shrine in St. Barnabas cathedral; and three new buildings—part of a $lOO,OOO diocesan complex due to be completed in the “holy year”—were dedicated by Bishop Chisholm.

The relics consisted of five knotted palm fronds placed by the native people on Bishop Patteson’s body to represent the five of their number who had been abducted and killed; a cross made out of the hut in which the bishop was killed; and a small piece of the bishop's burial mat.

The buildings dedicated are for the use of the Society of St. Francis and the Sisters of the Church, who have just started a joint programme for social work in Honiara. The brothers and sisters will work, eat and worship together—probably an entirely new experiment in the South Pacific area.

A block housing diocesan offices and a club and conference room has also been completed. Another building which will be a printery and a bulk store is expected to be ready within a few months. At present, the church press is at Taroaniara on Gela Island. When it is moved and re-equipped in its new building, it will he the biggest press in the Solomons.