Each year on the 2nd September the Anglican Church of Australia (and many other churches of the Anglican Communion) celebrate New Guinea Martyrs Day.
This day commemorates 12 Anglican martyrs from among the 333 Christian church workers from many denominations who lost their lives during the Japanese invasion of New Guinea in 1942 and 1943.
Archbishop Geoff Smith wrote about the martyrs last year. He said “their deaths were very sad and seem an incredible waste, and yet their commitment to Jesus, the work they had been sent to do, and the people they had been sent to serve was a great encouragement to the church in PNG”.
The statue of Lucian Tapiedi, one of the Martyrs of New Guinea, second from right in ther picture above, joins other 20th Century Martyrs in the Westminster Abbey memorial.
ABM AID commemorates the day in part by raising an annual appeal to support the work of the contemporary Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea (ACPNG).
This year the Martyrs Appeal will support the ACPNG to provide a series of trainings to its members aimed at strengthening capacity to engage in locally led community development and with churches.
You can find out more by visiting www.abmission.org/Martyrs2023 where you will find the appeal prayer and can download the flyer.
Parishes around Australia are encouraged to also commemorate this day, as part of their regular services on Sunday 3 September, and to take up a special collection for the Martyrs Appeal, to support the work of the Anglican Church of PNG. Martyr’s Day will be commemorated also at St Cuthbert’s Prospect on 2 September at 11 am, followed by a lunch. Please promote.
The Bishop of Willochra, Jeremy James will celebrate and preach at the service. All welcome.
I’ve attached some resources for you to use to use to promote the appeal. There’s also details on where to send your Martyrs’ Day collection. By supporting training which strengthens the whole church, you will be honouring the memory of the Martyrs of New Guinea in a practical and tangible way.
Please do let me know if you do anything to commemorate this day as ABM appreciates knowing which parishes are remembering this day. They also welcome any photos of the event and copies of sermons preached on the Martyrs.
Further Reading
