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Island holds reconciliation over cannibalism

A man whose great-great grandfather was killed and eaten by cannibals has taken part in a unique reconciliation event in the South Pacific.

In the 1830s, the Reverend John Williams was the most famous missionary of the age.

Now, 170 years after his murder the descendants of those responsible invited his family to Erromango, part of the island nation of Vanuatu.

Charles Milner-Williams, of Hampshire, was among those who made the journey.

The reconciliation event, marking the 170th anniversary of the death of Mr Williams and his fellow missionary James Harris, has been long awaited.

The President of Vanuatu, Iolo Johnson Abbil, told the BBC it was a very important event for the country as a whole, where Christianity is now strong.

He said some people from Erromango feel the island has been under a kind of "curse" because of killing missionaries.

Read entire article at BBC