A tribute to Fr Peter of Fatima
I WAS filled with sadness when I heard about the death of Fr Peter Von Adrichem in Fatima, Western Highlands.
Fr Peter was not only a clergyman but a visionary and a hard working man.
His name is synonymous with Fatima and the Jiwaka people in Waghi Valley.
As the parish priest and the spiritual head at Fatima parish, and together with the Christian brothers, they made Fatima an ideal place to study.
Fatima High School was one of the top academic performers in the country in the 1990s.
As well as serving the school, he also was responsible for the spiritual needs of the Fatima Vocational School, the Fatima Community School and the local Jiwaka parishioners.
Although Fr Peter was a very busy and hardworking person, he would always spare a moment to listen to anyone who came to see him.
The later half of the 1990s saw the priest setting up a major seminary, which was named after him.
For those who have seen the seminary’s locality would not believe what it used to be, a murky marsh land that he turned into a thriving institution.
He left his native Netherlands only to fall in love with Fatima, a place he called home until his death.
To the late Fr Peter, we thank you for your contributions to the people of Waghi, Western Highlands and PNG.

Peter Laka
Nebilyer
Letters