On the 19th October 2025, the Church celebrated a historic moment as Peter To Rot was canonised by Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first native-born saint of Papua New Guinea. His life stands as a radiant example of the power of Christian marriage, the dignity of the family, and the courage of a layperson who chose fidelity to Christ over compromise with injustice.
Saint Peter To Rot’s legacy is not merely inspirational; it is prophetic. In an age marked by threats to family life, shifting social pressures, and confusion surrounding the nature of marriage, his witness shines with renewed relevance.
A Faith Formed in the Heart of Village Life
Born on 5 March 1912 in Rakunai, on the island of New Britain, Peter was the son of a village chief who had embraced the Catholic faith through the work of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. His parents’ deep devotion made faith the foundation of family life. It was his father who donated land for a church, school, and mission house—planting the seed of the community that would one day produce a saint.
Recognising his gifts, the missionaries educated Peter to serve as a catechist—a role he approached with seriousness, joy, and pastoral tenderness. Peter married Paula Ia Varpit, and together they raised three children. His life as a catechist, husband, and father is a reminder that holiness is not reserved for clergy or religious; it flourishes in the ordinary rhythm of family life.
Leadership Under Persecution
Everything changed in 1942 when the Japanese occupation began. Foreign missionaries were arrested or confined, leaving the faithful without priests or protection. At a time when fear and uncertainty spread across the villages, Peter stepped forward with remarkable courage.
Despite surveillance and explicit prohibitions against Christian gatherings, he continued to:
- teach the catechism,
- prepare couples for marriage,
- baptise infants,
- visit the sick,
- and lead communal prayer.
Often, he carried out his ministry in secret, travelling on foot between villages to sustain the life of the Church.
The occupation authorities soon realised that Peter To Rot was the moral and spiritual centre of resistance among the local Catholics.
Defending Marriage at Great Personal Cost
One of the most striking elements of Saint Peter To Rot’s witness was his unwavering defence of Christian monogamous marriage.
The Japanese officials reintroduced polygamy, seeking to weaken the Christian moral fabric of the community. Many village leaders, judges, and even Peter’s own brother accepted or supported the practice. But Peter refused to stay silent.
He publicly defended the Church’s teaching and helped couples remain faithful to their vows. His conviction came not from stubbornness but from deep love for the Gospel and for the families entrusted to his care.
His courageous opposition brought him into direct conflict with local authorities. He was threatened, harassed, and eventually arrested by a policeman named To Metapa.
Witnesses later testified that he never wavered. Even in custody, they said, “he showed no regret” for defending Christian marriage.
Martyrdom: A Sacrifice for the Family
In July 1945, Peter To Rot became seriously ill in detention. A doctor appeared with an “injection” said to be medicine. Shortly afterwards he suffered violent convulsions and died.
The circumstances—quiet, covert, cruel—leave little doubt: he was killed because of his faith and his defence of the sacrament of marriage.
His final act of witness was not dramatic but deeply faithful. He died as he lived: a layman committed to Christ, to the Church, and to the sanctity of the family.
Canonisation: A Saint for a Nation and the World
The path to his canonisation reflected the collaboration of laypeople, religious communities, and the wider Church—much like his own ministry. His sanctity was formally recognised when Pope Francis approved his canonisation decree in March 2025, followed by the solemn canonisation celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square on 19 October 2025.
His canonisation was not merely an honour for Papua New Guinea; it was a recognition of the essential role of lay holiness, marriage, and family life in the mission of the Church.
Why His Witness Matters Today
Saint Peter To Rot’s life speaks powerfully to the challenges facing the family in the 21st century.
1. A Saint for Married Couples and Parents
He shows that married life and family responsibilities are not obstacles to holiness, but pathways to it.
2. A Saint for Lay Ministry
He reminds the Church that laypeople can be heroic witnesses of faith, especially when priests or religious are absent.
3. A Saint for Defending Christian Marriage
His refusal to accept polygamy—despite social and political pressure—highlights the enduring truth and beauty of exclusive, faithful, monogamous marriage.
4. A Saint for Times of Persecution
His ministry under occupation is a model for Christians facing hostility, cultural pressure, or legal challenges to their beliefs.
Conclusion
Saint Peter To Rot’s legacy is a powerful reminder that the defence of the family requires courage, compassion, and unshakeable faith. His martyrdom sealed his conviction that Christian marriage is not just a cultural custom but a God-given vocation, foundational to human dignity and the life of the Church.
In an age searching for authentic witnesses, Saint Peter To Rot stands before us as a shining example of what one layperson, one husband, one father can do when he entrusts everything to Christ.
