The Martyrs of New Guinea 1942
John 12: 20-32
In some parts of the world missionaries from European lands have left their missions because of war and invasion. Their reasons have usually been good and most were forced to leave. The New Guinea Martyrs chose to live through the hurt of danger with their people and, because this meant their deaths, we honour them as Martyrs. It is generally believed that the magnificent recovery after the war and the present strength of the Church is due to these Christians who remained faithful unto death.
Lucian Tapiedi was killed when he went back to collect something that had been forgotten.
Vivian Redlich, priest, from England.
Margaerey Brenchley from Queensland.
Lilla Lasmar of Adelaide.
Henny Holland, priest, from New south Wales and John Duffill, mission builder, were all beheaded on Buna Beach and their bodies thrown in the sea.
Henry Matthews, priest, died with Leslie Gariadi, a Papuan evangelist, when they were killed at sea by Japanese who caught them taking some half-castes to safety.
May Hayman and Mavis Parkinson were bayonetted by Japanese soldiers.
John Barge, an English priest, was killed alone at the Apugi mission in New Britain and
Bernard Moore disappeared.
“We could never hold up our faces again, if, for our own safety, we all forsook Him and fled when the shadows of the Passion began to gather around Him and His Spiritual and Mystical Body, the Church in Papua”. (Bishop Philip Strong).
Prayer for choosing an Incumbant
Bountiful God, give to this parish a faithful pastor who will faithfully speak your word and minister your sacraments, an encourager who will equip your people for ministry and enable us to fulfil our calling. Give to those who will choose, wisdom, discernment and patience and give to us warm and generous hearts for Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.