Rabaul: As the Church prepares for the canonization of Blessed Peter To Rot on October 19, Archbishop Rochus Josef Tatamai, MSC, Archbishop of Rabaul and great-nephew of the Papua New Guinean martyr, has offered a moving reflection on his family’s heritage and the enduring power of faith.
Speaking to Vatican News, Archbishop Tatamai described how the witness of his great-uncle martyred in 1945 under Japanese occupation for defending the Catholic faith continues to shape both his own vocation and the spiritual life of the people of Papua New Guinea. “Faith was not just something practiced in church,” the Archbishop recalled. “It was part of our daily life through prayer, attending Mass, and helping our neighbors.”
Born in Rakunai village in 1912, Peter to Rot was the third of four children of Angelo Topuia and Maria Iatumul, among the first in their community to be baptized by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Alongside his siblings Theresa, Josef, and Gabriel Peter grew up in a household where Catholicism was not an occasional ritual but the foundation of life.
Archbishop Tatamai, tracing his lineage from Josef, Peter’s elder brother, explained that his family always spoke of Blessed Peter’s commitment to God and the community. “From my earliest years, his presence was felt in our home through the stories told by my parents and grandparents. It was not history but a living inspiration,” he said.
The Archbishop recalled how his grandfather had prayed for a priest to emerge from the family. That wish was remembered by the elders when Rochus Tatamai was ordained. “That legacy was always before me. The courage and fidelity of my grandfather became a compass for my own calling,” he added.
Blessed Peter To Rot worked as a catechist, defending the faith and family life during wartime persecution. He was arrested for standing against oppressive policies and ultimately executed in 1945. For Archbishop Tatamai, his great-uncle’s martyrdom is not a distant event but a continuing guide.
“His life shows that faith is lived in concrete ways, sometimes in the hardest moments. When doubts arose in my vocation, I looked back to his example how he stood firm when it mattered most. That gave me the courage to continue,” he explained.
In the cultural tradition of Papua New Guinea, great-uncles are often referred to as “grandfathers.” Archbishop Tatamai sees this not only as a term of respect but as a spiritual inheritance. “Every homily I preach, every decision I make as a pastor, carries his witness within it. It is a responsibility to live authentically so that his story continues to inspire others.”
Reflecting on Papua New Guinea’s 50 years of independence, Archbishop Tatamai described the canonization of Blessed Peter as a divine gift for the nation. “God is blessing our country with grace, reminding us that the call to holiness is universal,” he said.
He urged families to be strongholds of faith, encouraging parents to pray with their children, read the Bible, and live the sacraments daily. “A child looks to parents for guidance. If parents embody prayer and faith, they set the foundation for a new generation of saints,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Archbishop Tatamai said he envisions a Church in Papua New Guinea that is “courageous in faith, rooted in love, and led by young people who see service as their vocation.” He emphasized that Blessed Peter’s life demonstrates that holiness is not reserved for priests or religious, but possible in ordinary family life.
“He was a husband, a father, and a catechist,” the Archbishop explained. “Ordinary roles, lived with extraordinary faith. And when the time came, that faith led him to martyrdom the seal of his witness.”
For Archbishop Tatamai, the canonization of Blessed Peter to Rot is not merely a recognition of history but a call to live the same faith today. “His story is both a gift and a responsibility,” he said. “A gift because it brings hope, and a responsibility because it challenges us to live faithfully so that others too may be inspired.”
As the universal Church prepares to celebrate the canonization, Archbishop Tatamai expressed his prayer that Blessed Peter To Rot will be seen not only as a hero of the past but as a guide for Christians worldwide. “His life reminds us: holiness is possible in ordinary life. Faith lived with integrity transforms communities and brings light even in the darkest times.”