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’s method is to live as brothers to the people,
respecting their traditions and customs: planting, harvesting,
fishing, house building, eating and sharing with the people in
all these things. Kopuria believed that Solomon Islanders should
be converted in a Melanesian way.
Today, the work of the Brotherhood has broadened to include work
and mission among both Christians and non-Christians. The
Melanesian Brotherhood now has three regions: Solomon Islands,
Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu & Fiji. They have recently
opened a house in Palawan, the Philippines.
The Brotherhood aims to live the Gospel in a direct and simple
way following Christ’s example of prayer, mission and
service. The brothers take the vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience, but these are not life vows but for a period of five
years, which can be renewed. They train for three years as
novices and make their vows as brothers at the Feast of St Simon
and St Jude.
The brothers now have their own website at www.orders.anglican.org/mbh/. This contains their History, Brotherhood households, information on their music & Prayers and links to related sites.
Visit there website by clicking here. Return to this site by using "Back" on your browser or by using the link from their "Links" page.