The Dec. 28 Palau state funeral of three Seventh-day Adventists murdered in their home just before Christmas united two mothers in grief, and in prayer.

Pastor Ruimar DePaiva, 42; his wife, Margareth DePaiva, 37; and their 11-year-old son, Larrison, were allegedly killed by 43-year-old Justin Hirosi, who, press reports indicate, has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, after admitting to police he committed the crimes while under the influence of crystal methamphetamine.

But at the Palau funeral, Ruimar DePaiva’s mother, Ruth, surprised the 400-plus worshippers by offering forgiveness and asking the mother of the accused killer to join her in prayer.

“Here we are, two mothers,” Ruth DePaiva said later, wire services reported. “I am sure the mother of Justin has prayed so many times for her son, and I am sure her heart hurts terribly. I just want to take Justin’s mother and let her know we will be praying for her ... and for Justin.”

According to Republic of Palau President Tommy Remengesau, who attended the funeral, the elder Mrs. DePaiva’s ability to forgive allowed the entire nation to begin a healing process. He said the crimes were “heinous” and had never occurred in the country before.

“To forgive when the incident is so fresh, it has helped people to look beyond the tragedy and see that we can forgive and live together,” President Remengesau told the Pacific Daily News.

The sole survivor of the attack was the DePaiva’s 10-year-old daughter, Melissa. She attended a Jan. 2 funeral service in Keene, Texas, where several relatives live, and where she will now reside. Her grandmother said Melissa hopes to return to Palau as a missionary when she grows up.