Saint Peter To Rot – First Papua New Guinea Saint & Martyr for Christian Marriage

ST. PETER TO ROT

Peter To Rot was a married catechist in Papua New Guinea who, during the Japanese occupation in World War II, persisted in pastoral ministry and defence of Christian marriage and faith; he was martyred in 1945 and canonised in 2025 as a model for families and catechists.

Peter To Rot was born on 5 March 1912 on the island of New Pomerania (now part of East New Britain Province) in what was then German New Guinea. He was the third child of Angelo Tu Puia, a village chief, and Maria Ia Tumul, both of whom had embraced Catholic faith. His early years included schooling at the mission and later he joined the studies to become a catechist for the local parish at Rakunai, where he displayed a commitment to faith, teaching, and service among his people.
In 1936 he married Paula Ia Varpit, becoming one of the first married catechists in his area; together they began building a Christian family grounded in the Gospel. During the Japanese occupation of Papua New Guinea in World War II, foreign missionaries were interned and local Christian structures weakened. The parish priest was forced to leave, and To Rot was entrusted with leadership of the parish in Rakunai, caring for the sick, teaching, organizing clandestine services, and defending Christian marriage in the face of Japanese-imposed polygamy policies.
He openly opposed the Japanese authorities’ attempts to force traditional pagan practices and polygamy on his people. At one point his intervention on behalf of a Christian married woman threatened with forced polygamy provoked the Japanese police to monitor and arrest him. Arrested and imprisoned, he was offered his life in exchange for abandoning his role and faith but he steadfastly refused. According to his contemporaries he said: “If Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, was crucified for me, why should I not be ready to die for Him.” On 7 July 1945 he was executed by the Japanese in Rakunai after enduring imprisonment, torture and refusal to renounce his catechetical mission.
In recognition of his martyrdom “in odium fidei” (in hatred of the faith), he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 17 January 1995 in Papua New Guinea. On 31 March 2025 the decree of his canonisation was promulgated, and he was formally canonised on 19 October 2025 by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. His life stands out as a witness to married catechist ministry, fidelity under persecution, and the protection and promotion of Christian family values in a missionary and conflict-zone context.

Feast Day

7-7-

Birth Date

5-3-1912

Died Date

7-7-1945

Canonised Date

19-10-2025

Rakunai, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

“Lord Jesus Christ, my God, You were crucified for me; help me to be faithful in our family life, in our Christian witness, as St. Peter To Rot was.”
ST. PETER TO ROT

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ST. PETER TO ROT

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