“We are all citizens of the same heavenly kingdom… just as the [New Guinea] Martyrs lived and died as witnesses to that kingdom, so should we live today remembering our true home…”

This message was shared by the Rt Rev’d Reginald Makele, Bishop of New Guinea Islands Diocese, of the Anglican Church of PNG, to the almost 100 people who gathered across two services in Adelaide and The Murray Dioceses to commemorate the Feast of the New Guinea Martyrs last weekend.

At the first, St Cuthbert’s, Prospect hosted Bishop Reg for a Eucharist and lunch on Saturday 31 August, with the Bishop of Willochra, the Rt Rev’d Jeremy James, presiding.

The second event, an Evensong and dinner on Sun 1 September, was held at St Augustine’s, Victor Harbor, part of the South Coast Parish in the Diocese of the Murray, .

At each event, Bishop Reg was accompanied by ABM’s Key Relationships Manager, Meagan Schwarz, the Chair of the South Australian Provincial ABM Committee, the Rev’d Paul Devenport and twoCommittee members, Peter Edson (Diocese of the Murray) and Peter Burke (Diocese of Adelaide).-

Bp Reg continued: “Our two churches have been brought together through their [the New Guinea Martyrs’] deaths, and we continue to nurture this relationship through friendship and hospitality, praying for one another, understanding one another, helping one another”.

Bishop Reg also shared  that the story of the Martyrs had had a personal impact on him as a child, which contributed to his following God’s call to ministry. Two of the New Guinea Martyrs were killed in what is now the Diocese of New Guinea Islands. His Diocese still remembers them and continues to bear the fruit from the seeds planted when they decided to stay with his people rather than return to the safety of their own country and families. This witness to God’s eternal and all-surpassing love is still remembered to this day as the Anglican Church of PNG across the country paused to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They were:

• The Revd. John Barge, priest, sent from England
• Sr Margery Brenchley, nursing sister, sent from Queensland
• Mr John Duffill, builder, sent from Queensland
• Leslie Gariardi, evangelist and teacher, from Papua
• May Hayman, nursing sister, sent from Victoria
• The Revd. Henry Holland, priest, sent from New South Walea
• Miss Lilla Lashmar, teacher, sent from Adelaide[6]
• The Revd Henry Matthews, priest, sent from Queensland, born in Victoria
• The Revd Bernard Moore, priest, sent from England
• Miss Mavis Parkinson, teacher, sent from Queensland
• The Revd Vivian Redlich, priest, sent from South Africa, born in England
• Mr Lucian Tapiedi, evangelist and teacher, from Papua

Those present  learned more about the focus of ABM AID’s 2024 Martyrs Gift, the Agents of Change Program which is being rolled out by the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea (ACPNG), which will strengthen grassroots leadership so that the ministries of the Anglican Church, including health and education, can be more effective and sustainable. You can learn more about the 2024 Martyrs Gift here.

While Bishop Reg was in Adelaide, he also met with the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, and Archbishop of Adelaide, Archbishop Geoff Smith, and assistant bishops in the Diocese of Adelaide Bishop Sophie Relf-Christopher and Bishop Tim Harris.

Bishop Reg then travelled to Sydney for further Martyrs Day commemorations at St Luke’s Enmore which will take place on Saturday 7 September.

ABM encourages all parishes to commemorate the New Guinea Martyrs either during their regular services on the closest Sunday or in a special service on the day itself. Resources to assist you with this can be found on ABM’s website: www.abmission.org/resources/martyrs-resources