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10 - Testing Time
When it comes to talking about the World War II, the Japanese occupation of New Britain and To Rot’s work as catechist, there are three different moments that must be differentiated. The first moment is the Japanese occupation of the island in 1942, in which the Japanese army did not forbid pastoral activity, although they imprisoned all the missionaries. The second moment began in 1943, in which the army declared a partial ban on religion. The third and final moment began in 1944, when the total ban on religion was declared. We will see these three moments in this chapter.
First Moment: Japanese Occupation of New Britain (January 1942 - March 1943)
The Japanese Army occupation of New Britain began on 4th January 1942 and lasted until August 1945. Naturally, it created a crucial impact and change in the lives of everybody, especially the Catholic Missionaries. The Tolai people, with whom Peter To Rot worked as catechist, did not have better luck than the rest of the island, for they found themselves suddenly under Japanese’s dominion. From this very moment, To Rot’s strength of faith began to face the biggest and most dangerous trials, including the imminent threat of death.
The Positio states: “When the first heavy Japanese air-raid of World War II on the Gazelle Peninsula occurred on 4th January 1942, followed by a large sea-borne invasion on 23rd and 24th January, the Australians had only a token force to oppose it. This was because the conditions under which the League of Nations granted Australia the right to govern New Britain as a ‘C class’ Mandated Territory after World War I stipulated that no military development or large deployment of troops or military weaponry should occur in this area.” (Positio… 41)
Australians taking care of the Gazelle Peninsula had very obsolete equipment to fight against the Japanese, and although they were 2,200 men, they were scattered around the island, resulting that some military posts were guarded by only half a dozen soldiers. They fought as much as they could and put the best resistance possible, but it was not enough. After some weeks, the Australian Ary retreated, and on 24th January 1942, the Japanese claimed possession of the Peninsula.
Just the day after the Japanese landed on the Gazelle Peninsula, they took over Vunapope. On that same day, Rakunai’s beautiful church was partly destroyed, as it was suspected that an Australian soldier was hidden there. Theresa Ia Varpilak, To Rot’s blood sister, recalled: “The Japanese army invaded New Britain during January 1942. They arrived in Rabauul on January 23rd, 1942. Two days later, on January 25th, they arrived in Vunapope, the Headquarters of the Catholic Mission, and in Rakunai village.” (In Positio… Summ, 5)
Philip Ticket, a relative of Peter To Rot, recalled: “I was in Rakunai the time of the Japanese invasion. Fear was the uppermost feeling among the people who were under the dominion of the Japanese. They were silent when their church was shot and destroyed by the Japanese in their search for an Australian soldier whom they thought to be hiding somewhere else.” (In Positio… Summ, 37)
During these events Father Laufer, To Rot’s friend and confidant, was parish priest in Rakunai. He was allowed by the Japanese police to remain in the village, but the situation changed drastically in October 1942, when all missionaries were ordered into strict internment at Vunapope, which was well surrounded by a perimeter of barbed wire. The people were left alone, and now was the time in which the faith of the courageous catechists should shine stronger than ever.
Since the moment in which Father Laufer left Rakunai, Peter To Rot decided that it was time for him to show his generosity and fidelity to the promise he made to God the day in which the Bishop gave him the catechist’s crucifix and appointed him as catechist of Rakunai. He knew very well that the situation was dangerous and his very life was at risk, but he did not hesitate to take over the care of the station. Among the witnesses who gave their testimony during the canonical inquiry, we will find only praise and thanksgiving in regards to To Rot. All of them unanimously agreed when it came to talking about To Rot’s concern for the people during this difficult period.
To Rot’s sister Theresa Ia Varpilak said: “In the absence of the parish priest, who was interned with the other missionaries first in Vunapope and later in Ramale concentration camp, Peter To Rot expressed his determination to continue as head and leader of the church. He continued his pastoral activities, caring for the sick, for the children.” (In Positio… Summ, 5)
Also Paula Ia Varpit, To Rot’s young widow declared: “Peter To Rot continued his work as catechist during the war years, baptizing, performing marriages, giving religious instructions, caring for the sick.” (In Positio… Summ, 7)
His friend and confidant Father Laufer, in the very first biography of Peter To Rot called “A Catechist Becomes a Martyr”, recalled: “When in 1942, at the command of the Japanese Marines, the priest in charge was forced to leave, To Rod assumed responsibilities in the parish and kept the Catholic people united. For approximately four years, he was the sole spiritual director, substituting for the internal pastor. Regularly, he assembled the children and adults for both religious and secular instructions, conducted the Sunday services, baptized infants, officiated at marriages, visited the sick and buried the dead. He recorded parish proceedings in the register and was considered the leading personality among the Catholic native population for the entire duration of the Japanese occupation.” (In Positio… Summ, 107)
Rakunai’s leader Anton Tata confirmed the above testimonies in this way: “In the absence of the parish priest, Peter To Rot assumed full responsibility of the parish and began to care for the people. The Japanese Navy was the first in Rakunai, and they ordered the removal of the missionaries but did not forbid pastoral activity. Later the Japanese police moved in and it was then that prohibition of all religious activity began.” (In Positio… Summ, 15)
Although there are many other witnesses to quote, all of them gave the same testimony as above. We could dare to say there was nobody for whom To Rot did not care during this period. Witness talked about his care for the sick, to whom he visited often and gave the Holy Communion. He cared for the children, to whom he dedicated long hours of religious and secular instruction. He cared for the poor, for whom he did his best to help in their needs. He cared for the couples, to whom he gave catechetical instruction and assisted in their marriages. He cared for his fellow catechists, to whom he visited and strengthened. He cared for the missionaries, to whom he used to bring food. Lastly, he also cared for the dead, to whom he buried in the Catholic rite. In other words, nobody in Rakunai was denied of To Rot’s love and paternal concern.
A long testimony given by To Rot’s cousin, Gabriel To Uraton, must be quoted in its entirety: “When, during the Japanese occupation, the mission station was left without a priest, To Rot was quite capable of assuming full responsibility for all that concerned its continued functioning. He baptized the new-born babies and officiated at the marriages of Catholic couples. Sometimes he would bring consecrated Hosts from the Central Mission Station at Vunapope, which was a five to six hours walk away, and then he would call the people together in the church at Palnalama to receive Holy Communion (…) Nor did To Rot forget the missionaries in the Japanese Prison Camp. He used to collect eggs and other produce from the villagers and take these donations to the camp, or persuade other people to do so. After the bombing of Vunapope Mission, the place where the missionaries had been originally interned, all the missionaries were transferred further inland to Ramale. To Rot collected a large mound of foodstuff and clothing and took it all himself to the camp - in a Japanese truck - only to have everything confiscated by Japanese police. He was able to get back some of the clothing and foodstuff which he had collected, by the three Sisters from the Baining Mountains who spent several days in Vunaira Prison on their way to Ramale Prison Camp.” (In Positio… Summ, 151)
As long has he had freedom, To Rot cared for everyone.
TO BE CONTINUED
Name Day 