CBCPNGSI Staff Celebrate Feast Day of St Peter To Rot

CBC Headquarters, Port Moresby, 7 July 2026 — The staff of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands came together for a special Mass celebration in honour of the feast day of St Peter To Rot, Papua New Guinea’s first and only saint. The Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, together with Fr Bernard Jeevaratnam, Operations Manager of Caritas PNG.

Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj (General Secretary of the CBCPNGSI) and Fr Bernard Jeevaratnam (Operations Manager Caritas PNG)

During his homily, Fr Lawrence urged those in attendance to strengthen their belief in God, following the example of St Peter To Rot, whose conviction in Christ was never half-hearted. St Peter To Rot believed in God with all his heart, with genuine enthusiasm, courage, and faith until the very end. His love for Christ was so strong that he was willing to sacrifice his life for his faith.

The mass celebration reminded the staff that the life of St Peter To Rot continues to inspire Catholics in Papua New Guinea and beyond. His witness is a powerful reminder that true faith is not only expressed in words but also in action, commitment, and sacrifice. St Peter To Rot remained faithful to God even in times of great difficulty, showing that belief in Christ must be lived with courage, humility, and trust.

As the Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands celebrates his feast day, the example of St Peter To Rot calls all Christians to renew their faith and deepen their relationship with God. His life encourages the faithful to stand firm in their beliefs, serve others with love, and remain steadfast in their journey of faith. Through his witness, St Peter To Rot continues to shine as a model of holiness, courage, and unwavering devotion to Christ.