From The Melanesian Mission

A Melanesian bishop is visiting the UK to help reconcile the descendants of a martyred cleric and the inhabitants of the island where he died.

The Rt Revd George Takeli, Bishop of Temotu in Melanesia, is currently visiting Devon, England, as part of an effort to reconcile the descendants of Bishop John Coleridge Patteson and the islanders of Nukapu where Patteson was killed in 1871.

Bishop Takeli, whose diocese in the Solomon Islands includes the island of Nukapu, is retracing the footsteps of the martyred bishop.

A news release issued this week by the Melanesian Mission, said: "To this day the inhabitants of Nukapu feel the need to reconcile, and Bishop George is working on a reconciliation service for Patteson's descendants later this year."

John Patteson grew up in Feniton, attended the Kings School in Ottery St Mary, was ordained at Exeter Cathedral and was a curate at Alfington Church.

Bishop Takeli will be visiting the family home of Patteson Feniton Court, the churches where Patteson worked, and the memorials which commemorate his martyrdom: Patteson's Cross between Feniton and Ottery St Mary, and the Martyrs' Pulpit at Exeter Cathedral.

On his visit, between 8 and 12 February, Bishop Takeli will also be visiting local schools twinned with schools in Melanesia to work with pupils on specials prayers for the reconciliation service.

In Plymouth the Bishop will speak to members of the Mothers' Union in Devon which are twinned with the Mothers' Union in Temotu.