Biographical entry: Kopuria, Ini ( - 1945)

Died
1945

Details

In 1924-1925, Ini Kopuria developed what became the Ira Retasasiu (meaning 'company of brothers'), commonly called the Melanesian Brotherhood (q.v.) or Tasiu. Born in the early 1900s near Maravovo, Guadalcanal, and named after an early Anglo-Saxon Christian king, he was sent to school first at St. Michael's Pamua (q.v.) on Makira in 1913, and later to Norfolk Island. He joined the Native Armed Constabulary, rose to the rank of Sergeant, and was stationed on Guadalcanal. In 1924, following an intense religious experience, he decided to form a brotherhood to take Christianity to the non-Christian villages on Guadalcanal. The influences on him were his knowledge of English orders of monks with the three-fold vow (obedience, poverty and chastity), the short-lived St. Aidan's Brotherhood (1916-1920) which Rev. Charles Fox (q.v.) formed to spread Christianity to inland villages on Makira while Ini was at school there, and the Melanesian Mission (q.v.) itself, which was supportive of indigenous religious orders. Bishop Steward (q.v.) encouraged this indigenous vehicle for spreading Christianity.

Ira Retasasiu was founded on 28 October 1925, in consultation with Bishop Steward, once Ini Kopuria's teacher at Maravovo. Ini took a life vow and gave his land at Tabalia to the Brotherhood, which became their headquarters. He and the first seven brothers began missionary work in the Solomon Islands, which was later extended to other areas of the diocese such as New Britain, the New Hebrides, and to Solomon Islanders in Fiji. The Brotherhood declined in the 1940s and 1950s, by which time most people had accepted Christianity, but there was a revival in the late 1950s when the Brotherhood's focus was altered to Christian revival and, in 1957, their work spread further into Papua New Guinea. Ini also began the Order of Companions of the Brothers, formed from men and women who promised to help the Brothers through prayer and funding, ensuring that the Tasiu had a true indigenous base.

Ini Kopuria remained Head Brother until 1940, when he left, absolved from his lifelong vow, and married. He spent the rest of his days as a village deacon in Guadalcanal, until he died in 1945. O. F. Emery made a film about his life for the Melanesian Board of Missions, in 1964. (Hilliard 1978a, 227-232; Fox 1958, 193, 1962, 67-79)

Related Concepts

Published resources

Books

  • Fox, Charles E., Lord of the Southern Isles: Being the Story of the Anglican Mission in Melanesia, 1849-1949, Mowbray, London, 1958. Details
  • Fox, Charles E., Kakamora, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1962. Details
  • Hilliard, David, God's Gentleman: A History of the Melanesian Mission, 1849-1942, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, 1978a. Details

Images

Title
Ini Kopuria was the founder of the Anglican Melanesian Brotherhood.
Type
Image
Date
1930s
Source
DOM

Details