Papua New Guinea’s Peter To Rot to be canonised as first Melanesian saint

Pope Francis has passed a decree on 1 April 2025 which enables Papua New Guinea to get its first saint.
The late Peter To Rot from East New Britain is to be canonised, making him the first Melanesian saint.
The ABC’s Pacific Beat interviewed the Archbishop of Rabaul, Rochus Tatamaj, who explained that the sainthood is important not just for PNG but for the Melanesian nation to stand strong for values of family and family unity.

Prior to WWII Peter To Rot was a young boy who grew up in a family with strong Christian faith, eventually becoming a Catechist in the Catholic Church.
During WWII, with the Japanese occupation and the subsequent imprisonment of missionaries, he stood firm for his faith and for the sacrament of marriage, despite Japanese encouragement of polygamy, which divided Peter To Rot’s family.

In 1945, for his strength and belief, Japanese soldiers executed Peter To Rot by lethal injection.
The announcement comes four months after Pope Francis visited PNG and held a service in the rural town of Vanimo.

Archbishop of Rabaul, Rochus Tatamai. said “There’s a lot of excitement”.
“A lot of people are praising and thanking God for our first Melanesian saint.”
The interview can be heard at https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/png-saint/105120730