PNG's First Saint: Blessed Peter ToRot Canonised
In a historic moment for Papua New Guinea, the late Pope Francis signed one of his final decrees to canonise Blessed Peter ToRot, marking him as the nation’s first saint. The announcement, revealed by Cardinal Sir John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, confirms that all prerequisites for ToRot’s canonisation were met, with the official document signed just two weeks before Pope Francis’ passing.
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| late Pope Francis signed one of his final decrees to canonise Blessed Peter ToRot |
Blessed Peter ToRot, born on March 5, 1912, lived a life of profound faith, humility, and service. A dedicated catechist, he devoted himself to supporting the poor and orphaned, embodying Christian values. During World War II, under Japanese occupation in Papua New Guinea, ToRot persisted in his pastoral duties despite the imprisonment of missionaries. He secretly prepared couples for marriage, fully aware of the risks to his life.
ToRot’s unwavering commitment to the sanctity of marriage led to his martyrdom. He boldly opposed polygamy, even confronting his older brother, who had taken a second wife. This defiance prompted his brother to report him to the authorities, resulting in ToRot’s arrest. Sentenced to two months in prison, he was tragically poisoned in July 1945, dying as a martyr for his faith.
Cardinal Sir John, currently in Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral and to participate in the election of the next pope, shared that the canonisation process has evolved. Previously, miracles were a strict requirement, but Pope Francis introduced a pathway through documented signs or events attributed to intercessory prayers. Over 60 individuals submitted accounts of such events linked to Blessed Peter ToRot, which were compiled and reviewed by the Vatican’s department for canonisation. The thorough evaluation confirmed ToRot’s eligibility for sainthood.
“We rejoice that Blessed Peter ToRot’s canonisation is set to proceed under the new pope,” Cardinal Sir John stated, expressing gratitude for Pope Francis’ pivotal role in initiating this process. The late pontiff, laid to rest on Saturday following his death last Monday, cleared the way for this milestone in Papua New Guinea’s spiritual history.
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