Archbishop Rochus Tatamai, the great-nephew of Blessed Peter To Rot, shares the family history of the Papua New Guinean Catholic martyr, saying faith was “part of our daily life through prayer, Mass, and helping our neighbors.”
By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS
Ahead of the canonization of Blessed Peter To Rot on October 19, 2025, Archbishop Rochus Josef Tatamai, MSC, Archbishop of Rabaul, in Papua New Guinea, spoke to Vatican News about the martyr’s legacy, which he said is both deeply personal and profoundly spiritual.
Blessed Peter To Rot was a young catechist martyred for his faith in Papua New Guinea during World War II by the Japanese in 1945. Archbishop Tatamai said he grew up immersed in stories of courage and faith of his great uncle. “From a young age, I felt his presence in our home,” the PNG Archbishop recalled.
Family and faith
Born in 1912, Peter To Rot was the third of four children in the family in Rakunai village. “His siblings were Theresa IaVarpilak, the elder sister of Peter To Rot; Josef Tatamai, the elder brother of Peter To Rot; Peter To Rot himself; and Gabriel Telo. Their parents, Angelo Topuia and Maria Iatumul, were the first to be baptized as Catholics, and the whole family was baptized by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in our community,” said Archbishop Tatamai.
The Archbishop traces his lineage directly to Josef Tatamai, the elder brother of Peter To Rot, his grand uncle.
“My parents and grandparents would tell us about his unwavering commitment to God and community. It wasn’t just history; it was a living example,” he said.
Archbishop Tatamai’s grandfather hoped that one day there would be a priest in the family, and this was recalled by the elders in the village the day Rochus Tatamai was ordained a priest.
Archbishop Rochus Josef Tatamai MSC acting as Peter To Rot bringing communion to the sick in a documentary on Blessed Peter To Rots life (© Fr. Zdzislaw Mlak SVD in PNG)
Peter To Rot inspiration
“His life taught me that faith is not abstract,” he explained. “It is lived, sometimes in the most challenging circumstances. Witnessing my grandfather’s courage through the stories narrated to me inspires me to serve the Church with the same dedication.”
In Papua New Guinea, as in other cultures, it is customary to refer to great-uncles as “grandfathers.”
Becoming a priest and later an Archbishop was not without challenges. “Every vocation has its struggles,” admitted Archbishop Tatamai. “There were times of doubt, moments when I questioned my readiness. But I always returned to the example of my grandfather, who stood firm even when facing persecution. That courage gave me strength.”
Faith in the Church
“Faith is more than ritual; it is a source of identity and strength,” Archbishop Tatamai echoes. “I encourage young people to find their own witness, to live their beliefs boldly and with integrity. We live in a world full of distractions, but faith gives clarity and purpose.”
The Archbishop’s ministry is deeply connected to his community. “Pastoral care is about listening and walking with people in their joys and struggles,” he explained. “I see my role as a servant, helping others discover hope, even in difficult times. To Rot’s life reminds me that serving others with love is the truest expression of faith. Every decision, every homily, every act of service is influenced by his witness. It is a constant guide; I feel a responsibility to live authentically so that his story continues to inspire others.”
School children at Holy Mass at Taogo the farmstead of the families of Blessed Peter To Rot (© Fr. Zdzislaw Mlak SVD in PNG)
Shepherd from To Rot’s life
The Archbishop reflected on the country celebrating 50 years of independence, saying, “God Himself is blessing our country with grace and a nice gift of our independence by recognizing the call to holiness is applicable to everyone, and especially for Christian living.”
The Archbishop encourages PNG families to embrace their Catholic faith and bear witness to it in the family. “A child born in the family looks up to the parents for advice; the husband and the wife should be role models for promoting family life, teaching the children to pray, reading the Bible, and keeping faith in the line of saints, keeping the Catholic faith, and being an inspiration to them by living the sacraments.”
Pilgrims in Taogo with Fr Joseph Than SDB and Fr Zdzislaw Mlak SVD during the Holy mass at the home of Peter To Rot and families during the WWII (© Fr. Zdzislaw Mlak SVD in PNG)
Hope for the future
Archbishop Tatamai reflected on his hopes for the future, saying, “I want to see a Church where faith is lived courageously, communities support one another, and young people are encouraged to become leaders rooted in love and service. My grandfather’s story reminds us that holiness is possible for everyone, and that courage, grounded in faith, can change lives.”
For the Archbishop, Blessed Peter To Rot is not just a historical memory but a living inspiration, guiding Archbishop Tatamai’s path and the people he serves. “It is both a gift and a responsibility,” he concluded. “A gift because it gives hope, and a responsibility calling me to live faithfully, that others may be inspired to do the same.”
As the Church celebrates his great-uncle’s legacy, Archbishop Tatamai expressed his hopes that the faithful worldwide will see in soon-to-be-Saint Peter To Rot not only a hero of the past but a guide for the present.
“His story reminds us that holiness is possible in ordinary life. He was a husband, a father, a catechist ordinary role lived with extraordinary faith,” he said. “That is morality lived out. And when the moment came, it led him to martyrdom, which is the seal of his witness.”
