Vatican City: In a historic move during the first Ordinary Public Consistory of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has officially set 19 October 2025 as the date for the canonisation of eight Blesseds, among them Peter To Rot, who will become the first canonised saint from Papua New Guinea.
Peter To Rot’s story is one of faith, courage, and mission. A lay catechist, Peter was martyred in 1945 by Japanese forces occupying Papua New Guinea during World War II. His “crime”? Continuing to proclaim the Gospel, defend Christian marriage, and serve his community in defiance of a ban on religious activities. His dying words — “I am in prison for those who break their marriage vows and for those who do not want to see God's work go forward” — reveal a man deeply rooted in conviction and sacrifice.
Peter’s life is emblematic of collaborative evangelisation, the fruit of unity between priests and laity in spreading the Gospel.
Peter was born into a family that had only recently embraced Christianity. His father, Angelo To Puia, a respected tribal leader in Rakanui on New Britain Island, had been among the first natives baptised following the arrival of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) in the late 19th century. This baptism was not merely personal—it symbolised the tribe's collective rejection of witchcraft and cannibalism, and their acceptance of Christian values.
So strong was the transformation that To Puia even donated land for the construction of a church, school, and mission house, thereby laying the foundation for the Catholic community in Rakanui. It was in this deeply Christian atmosphere that Peter was raised, shaped by faith, service, and dedication.
From childhood, Peter volunteered at Mass, not just on Sundays but daily. At 18, under the guidance of MSC priest Fr. Carl Laufer, he entered catechist training. In missionary lands like Papua New Guinea, catechists carry enormous responsibility—they serve as spiritual anchors when priests are absent, leading worship, administering sacraments like baptism and matrimony, and keeping the Christian community alive.
When World War II reached Papua New Guinea in 1942, Japanese forces imprisoned missionaries, leaving catechists like Peter to shepherd the faithful alone. Even after religious practice was outlawed entirely in 1943, Peter continued ministering clandestinely, conducting prayers, catechesis, and sacraments in secret.
As Japan's grip weakened near the war’s end, authorities tried to appease locals by reviving traditional practices such as polygamy, clashing directly with Christian teachings. Peter strongly opposed these efforts, especially as powerful local figures—including judges and police—sought to exploit the practice for personal gain.
His outspoken stance, particularly against a local officer named To Metapa, led to his arrest. Under interrogation, Peter stood firm, affirming his catechetical mission and denouncing polygamy. Detained but unrepentant, he remained peaceful and unwavering in his beliefs.
In July 1945, after falling ill, Peter was injected with a fatal substance under false pretenses. Witnesses recalled him vomiting, having his mouth covered, and dying shortly after. Authorities claimed it was a natural death, but the circumstances made clear it was a calculated martyrdom.
Peter To Rot is remembered not just for his courage, but for his deep pastoral love. He lived among his people, cared for their spiritual lives, and never sought personal glory. His life was a testament to lay leadership, forged through close collaboration with missionaries, and steeped in a Gospel-centered vision for his community.
His martyrdom mirrors that of other lay catechists, like those in 1980s Guatemala, who gave their lives defending the faith in the absence of clergy. Peter’s sacrifice is a reminder of the vital role laypeople play in evangelisation, especially under persecution.
Peter To Rot’s canonisation will not only mark a historic first for Papua New Guinea—it will stand as a universal witness to faith, family, and missionary zeal. His legacy shines as a beacon of how ordinary believers can become extraordinary saints when they live and die for truth and love.
With the upcoming canonisation, Pope Leo XIV honours a man whose life was shaped by faithful witness, cultural transformation, and the power of a shared mission between laity and clergy—a model as relevant today as it was 80 years ago.