Pope approves canonisation of Peter ToRot, who will be PNG's first saint
The planned canonisation of Peter ToRot follows Pope Francis's historic visit to Port Moresby last year. (AP: Gregorio Borgia)
In short:
Catholic preacher Peter ToRot will become Papua New Guinea's first saint, after the pope approved his canonisation.
Born on the island of East New Britain, Peter ToRot was held in a Japanese prison during World War II for practising Catholicism.
A missionary in PNG said Pope Francis told him last year he wanted to canonise Peter ToRot himself.
Papua New Guinea will soon have its first saint after Pope Francis approved the canonisation of local preacher Peter ToRot overnight.
Born at Rakunai village on the island of East New Britain in 1912, Peter ToRot led a Catholic mission during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
He was arrested and held in a Japanese prison in 1945 for practising Catholicism and was given an injection that reportedly killed him.
Peter ToRot will become PNG's first saint. (Facebook: Blessed Petro ToRot Foundation Inc. )
Last night, the Holy See Press Office published a notice saying Pope Francis had approved the canonisation of Peter ToRot, following a vote by cardinal fathers and bishops.
It comes not long after the pope was released from hospital after a battle with pneumonia, leading PNG leaders to believe the pope wanted to prioritise the canonisation.
Tomas Ravaioli, an Argentinian missionary in PNG, spent years collecting the documentation required for Peter ToRot to be recognised as a saint.
He was expecting feedback in April or May, but with the pope's deteriorating health, he was uncertain about whether it would happen.
A child holds up a statue of Peter ToRot, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II. (AP: Mark Baker)
"He left the hospital only a few days ago; this is why we were not expecting this," Fr Ravaioli told the ABC.
"We thought [the pope] had other priorities. Instead, after a few days, he signed the decree for the canonisation of Blessed Peter ToRot.
"It was amazing for us … and honestly, unexpected."
Fr Ravaioli met Pope Francis when His Holiness visited PNG on a mammoth Asia-Pacific tour in September last year.
"He told me, in that moment, that he wanted to canonise Peter ToRot himself. This is what he told me in September last year," Fr Ravaioli said.
Fr Ravaioli and other Catholics across PNG are celebrating the news this morning.
"It is amazing because this is the first saint ever in the history of Papua New Guinea," he said.
"I think people will be absolutely happy with that. And I think it will be a renewal, also, for our faith here in Papua New Guinea."
'First ever home-grown saint'
In 1995, Peter ToRot was beatified by Pope John Paul II during a visit to PNG and locals have been calling for him to be recognised as a saint ever since.
Papua New Guinean Archbishop Rochus Tatamai told the ABC's Pacific Beat program that PNG had waited 30 years for this day.
"This is really the first ever home-grown saint, a Melanesian. And so there is excitement, and also, I think there is a lot of joy," he said.
"Throughout the nation and the region, we have been having prayers in support of this process."
Peter ToRot was born to village chief Angelo To Puia and was one of six children.
A second-generation Catholic, he was trained as a catechist by missionaries on the island and later ran the mission when other church leaders were imprisoned by Japanese soldiers during the war.
Peter ToRot had strong views on marriage and opposed polygamy, which was a common traditional practice in his village prior to colonisation.
Catholics in Papua New Guinea have been calling for Peter ToRot to be canonised. (Facebook: Blessed Petro ToRot Foundation Inc)
His views got him into trouble, according to some records, when the Japanese legalised polygamy in an attempt to build relationships with local Papua New Guineans.
Peter ToRot was reportedly labelled an "antagonist" for his position on marriage and was eventually arrested and given a lethal injection.
Giorgio Licini, a senior priest based in Port Moresby, said his sainthood would be a significant moment for the country, which was introduced to Catholicism less than 150 years ago.
"It is also significant because he is a layperson. He was a catechist, married man with children and leader of the community," Fr Licini said.
"Now we can enjoy this outcome and just wait for the date to be set for the ceremony of canonisation in Rome."