Introduction to the community
The community of the Sisters of Melanesia is a sisterhood of women in Melanesia. It was founded by Nester Tiboe and three young women of Melanesia on 17 November 1980. Nester believed that a Religious community of women in Melanesia was needed for the work of evangelism and mission, similar to the work of the Melanesian Brotherhood, founded by Brother Ini Kopuria.
On 17 November 1980, the four young women made their promises of Poverty, Celibacy, and Obedience to serve in the community. The ceremony took place at St Hilda’s Day at Bunana Island and officiated by the Most Reverend Norman Kitchener Palmer, the second Archbishop of the Province of Melanesia.
The community aims to
- Offer young women in Melanesia an opportunity of training for ministry and mission, so that they may serve Christ in the church and society where they live.
- Provide pastoral care for women and teenage children and uphold the Christian principles of family life.
- Be in partnership with the Melanesian Brotherhood and other Religious communities by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in urban and rural areas in the islands.
- Give God the honour and glory, and to extend His Kingdom in the world.
Contact details
Main address:
KNT/Headquarter, Verana’aso, PO Box 19, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Other addresses:
4 households in the Solomon Islands
1 household in Papua New Guinea
1 household in Vanuatu
Administrator: Flory Kafa Thegu flokthegu@gmail.com
Community information
Bishop Visitor: The Most Revd Leonard Dawei, Archbishop of Melanesia
Third Order, Fellowship, Associates
The supporters of the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia are called Associates, a group established in 1990. It is an organization for men and women, young and old, and has over one thousand members, including many young boys and girls. All promise to uphold the Sisters in prayer, and they are a great support in many ways. The Associates of the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia are in the Solomon Islands, Australia and Canada.
Leadership
Head Sister: Sister Everil Manakako CSM
Assumed office 2024
Assistant Head Sister: Sister Mary Maesilia CSM
Membership
49 sisters in total
46 in Solomon Islands
1 in Papua New Guinea
2 in Vanuatu
