Carmelite Priest Fr Paul Sireh joins pilgrims for the canonisation of Blessed Peter To Rot
As the Church prepares to celebrate the canonisation of Blessed Peter To Rot, the faithful of Papua New Guinea rejoice in the witness of one of their own — a lay catechist whose faith, courage, and love for Christ shone brightly in the darkness of persecution.
For Fr Paul Sireh O.Carm, a Carmelite priest from Papua New Guinea now serving in Australia, this moment carries deep personal meaning. “When I was a seminarian in Rabaul, we would go on pilgrimage to Rakunai, where Peter To Rot is buried,” he recalls. “He lived and died defending the faith — a model for every Christian and a true missionary disciple.”
Born in 1912 on New Britain, Peter To Rot served courageously as a catechist during the Japanese occupation, secretly leading prayer, baptising, and bringing Holy Communion to the sick. His fidelity to the Gospel, even when forbidden to practise his faith, cost him his life — martyred by lethal injection in 1945.
For Fr Paul and the Carmelite family, his canonisation is a reminder that holiness blossoms in quiet fidelity. Like Elijah and Mary, Peter To Rot listened deeply to God’s voice, stood firm in truth, and lived the contemplative heart of service.
“His life invites us to be faithful in small things, courageous in truth, and united in hope.”
Peter To Rot’s story resonates strongly with the Carmelite charism of prayer, community, and service. His hidden life of prayerful action echoes the Carmel’s call to live in God’s presence while bringing that presence to others through love. His martyrdom shows that true contemplation bears fruit in courageous compassion.
For the Carmelites, this canonisation is also a celebration of God’s work among the peoples of Oceania — a reminder that holiness is not confined to monasteries or altars, but found wherever ordinary people give their lives for love of Christ. In Blessed Peter To Rot, the Spirit has raised up a witness of faith for all time — a saint for the Pacific, and for the whole Church.
