Catholics to mark ToRot’s centenary

FOLLOWERS of the Catholic faith will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of the birth of Blessed Peter ToRot on Saturday in East New Britain province.
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Cardinal Joseph Ze-kiun Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, as his special envoy to the celebration of the catechist and martyr of Papua New Guinea, for the celebrations scheduled at Rabaul.
ToRot was one of many Catholics who humbly and courageously committed their life to Jesus Christ.
Born in Rakunai, East New Britain in 1912, he became the youngest catechist in the area from childhood to his years in ministry as a parish-based catechist.
He was always faithful to his daily prayers as a child and was attracted to the Holy Eucharist.
This gave him all the energy to be loyal to his catechistic duties during World War II, until he was taken into captivity by the Japanese army and asked to deny his Christian faith.
ToRot continued with his religious practices while in captivity until he was executed with a lethal injection in 1945.
ToRot was so respected and valued that he was given a chief’s burial at the new cemetery next to the church where he had ministered.
During his funeral which drew a big turnout, people prayed in silence, fearing the Japanese might intervene if they prayed aloud.
ToRot was then officially recognised as a martyr: killed in hatred to the faith.
In 1995, he was declared a Blessed by Pope John Paul II in Port Moresby.
A miracle by the intercession of Blessed Peter ToRot is now needed for him to be declared a Saint, as he is widely recognised for the quality of his family life and catechistic ministry.
Archbishop of Rabaul Bishop Francesco Panfilo said the year of blessed ToRot from July 2011 to December 2012 had been so far a time of grace for the archdiocese.
He said the monthly catechisms had given to everybody the opportunity to reflect on the topic of family and family life; the relics of Blessed Peter To Rot, that have gone from
parish to parish, have contributed greatly in the renewal of family life.