The Melanesian Brotherhood MBH Founded 1925 Solomon Islands Region The Motherhouse of the Melanesian Brotherhood Tabalia, PO Box 1479 Honiara, Solomon Islands Papua New Guinea Region Good Shepherd Regional Headquarters Haruro, PO Box 29 Popondetta, Oro Province Papua New Guinea Southern Region Tumsisiro Regional Headquarters PO Box 05, Lolowai Ambae, Vanuatu

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 also opened two households and a community centre 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.

Brother Harry Gereniu MBH
(Leader of all three regions, assumed office October 1999)

Other addresses
Solomon Islands Region
Central Section
1. Norman Palmer Household, Honiara
2. St Barnabas Working Household, Honiara
3. Bishopsdale Working Household, Honiara
4. Thomas Peo Working Household, Gela
5. Ini Kopiura Household, Kolina, Guadalcanal
6. Olimauri Working Household,Babanakira, Guadalcanal
7. Calvary Household, Surapau, Guadalcanal
8. Selwyn Rapu Working Household, Talibau, Guadalcanal
9. Derick Vagi Working Household, Bellona
10. David Sale Working Household, Komukama
Malaita Section
11. Airahu Section Headquarters, Malaita
12. Funakawa Household, East Kwaio, Malaita
13. Apalolo Household, Small Malaita
14. John Falea Working Household, Are’Are, Malaita
15. New Dawn Range Working Household, West Kwaio
16. Manao’oba Working Household, North Malaita
Ysabel Section
17. Welchman Section Headquarters, Sosoilo, Ysabel
18. Porophetta Household, Kia, Ysabel
19. Lawe Household, Gizo, Western Province
20. Hulon Working Household, Yandina, Russel Islands
Hanuato’o Section
21. Fox Section Headquarters, Makira
22. Ullawa Working Household, Ullawa Island
23. Star Harbour Working Household, Makira
24. Hanunu Working Household, Makira
Temotu Section
25. Makio Section Headquarters, Santa Cruz, Temotu

Papua New Guinea Region
Popondetta Section
1. Waseta Household
2. Wanigela Household
3. Domara Household
4. Berubona Household
5. Nidewari Working Household
Aiporongo Section
6. Aiome Section Headquarters
7. Kinibong Household
8. Aum Household
9. Kuiama Household
Port Moresby Section
15. Cape Rodney Section Headquarters
16. Pivo Household, Kerema
17. Sogeri Household

Southern Region
1. Suriau Household, Santo Bush, Vanuatu
2. Port Patteson Household, Vureas Bay, Banks and Torres Section, Vanuatu
3. Nabatolu Household, Ba, PO Box 248, Fiji

Philippines
1. Northern Palawan Christian Institute, Winigit, Paglaum, Taytay, 5312 Palawan
2. IFI Church, Espanola, 5305, Palawan

For further details, see the MBH website

Or obtain a copy of
The Anglican Religious Communities Year Book.