In Search of the Lost

by Richard Anthony Carter

In 2003, a story shook the Anglican world in general and Anglican monastic life in particular. On August 8th, seven members of The Melanesian Brotherhood, an Anglican order of Christian brothers living a simple and prayerful life and known for their peace work throughout the South Pacific and beyond, were brutally murdered as a result of ethnic conflict in the Solomon Islands. They had been taken hostage five months earlier. The Melanesian Brotherhood is the largest Anglican religious community in the world with over 300 brothers and more than 300 novices and has received a United Nations award for its peace work. From 1990-2005, Richard Carter, a British priest, was tutor, chaplain to the Melanesian Brotherhood, eventually becoming a brother himself. This extraordinary, powerful and moving book is based on his diaries from that agonizing time for the Community. It tells the harrowing story of the loss of seven good, young and holy lives and the aftermath of those deaths. It tells the story of individuals and a community trying to make sense of faith in the face of fierce conflict and tragedy. It recounts the challenge of living out the Christian faith when confronted by great fear and loss. It is thus a story for everyman. Rowan Williams writes a preface.

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2003

Reviews

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had been sitting on my shelf for about 3 years. I was searching for a book to absorb me on a long train journey and chose this one. It turned out to be an excellent choice. I was so drawn into the story that I arrived at my destination having read 80% of the book and not noticed the 3 hours that had passed.

It is a story of Rev Richard Carter's time as Chaplain to and Brother of the Melanesian Brotherhood at a time of great troubles in that country. I thought it would be a sad story but throughout it, Richard speaks of how God was with them, and how they felt supported by their faith.

It represents his personal and close up memories of a very troubled time which challenged his own faith and eventually moulded and deepened his trust in God.

I loved every page of it.

[Mary Cassidy]

Learnt so much.