1999 - 2003 was a time of crisis in the Solomon Islands. Ethnic rivalries turned violent, with various rebel groups killing each other. The Melanesian Brotherhood took on a leading role as peacemakers, which led to the Townsville Peace Agreement. The Brothers gathered weapons from the various groups throwing them into the sea.

However, one rebel leader, Harold Keke, did not accept the agreement. A novice from the brotherhood who knew Harold Keke personally and considered him a friend, went to talk to him, and was murdered on April 20, 2003 (Easter). When he did not return 6 Melanesian Brothers went to ask for Sado’s corpse. They were murdered on or about April 23, 2003.

The Martyrs

1. Nathaniel Sado a novice in the Melanesian Brotherhood. A native of the volcanic island of Savo, a friendly, simple man of faith, who was good with animals, was accused by Harold Keke of being a government spy. Sado sang hymns as guerrillas beat him to death.
2. Robin LindsayAssistant Head Brother, a longterm member of the Melanesian Brotherhood, according to Father Richard Carter, was a chaplain to the Brotherhood, “the encourager,” and a man who had a gift for helping people build on their strengths.
3. Francis Tofi worked for peace in the strife-torn Solomon Islands. He organized an effort, in conjugation with police, to sink all the ammunition, explosives, and high-powered weapons they could find into the sea, beyond reach. Tofi, an expert in peaceful conflict resolution and an advocate for disarmament, fearlessly spoke out against Keke. Tofi had received an offer from the World Council of Churches to accept a place at the Bossey Institute in Geneva and to assist with a course on conflict resolution. He, according to his own words, had no fear of dying for the sake of peace in the service of God.
4. Alfred Hilly, stationed for 2 years at a the Chester Resthouse in Honiara, was the epitome of hospitality, teaching an abandoned child to read, tending to visiting children, and reading blood slides at the local malaria clinic.
5. Ini Partabatu was an actor and a courageous opponent of injustice. He acted in dramas about development and health issues. Partabatu also condemned brutal police tactics that disrespected the rights of the accused.
6. Patteson Gatu, admitted to the Melanesian Brotherhood in October 2002, was usually quick to smile. His sense of humor, combined with his faith, made him an agent of grace.
7. Tony Sirihi, having lost his father at an early age, found a family in the Melanesian Brotherhood. He grew into a bold Brother, a courageous man, and a good friend who participated in the process of disarmament.

In March 2005 Harold Keke and 2 former guerrillas received life sentences for the murder of Father Augustine Geve, M.P., in 2002. At the 2008 Lambeth Conference, the names of the 7 Melanesian Martyrs were added to the list of contemporary Martyrs of the Anglican Church, and an Icon of them was placed in Canterbury Cathedral.