The Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, has announced the initiation of the beatification and canonization process for Msgr. Juan Tomis Stack, an American missionary priest from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who devoted over two decades to serving the people of northern Peru. Bishop Edinson Farfán Córdova made the announcement during his homily on Aug. 4, the feast of St. John Vianney, at which he urged the faithful to support the cause through prayer.
Msgr. Tomis, who founded the St. John Vianney Parish in Chiclayo, is remembered for his tireless work in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Cajamarca, where he faced challenges such as lack of electricity, poor roads, and high malnutrition rates. He spearheaded road construction, fostered priestly vocations, and built clinics for the poorest. In 1979, Pope John Paul II named him a monsignor in recognition of his dedication.
The announcement coincides with the release of the Spanish edition of the book “Bridgeport to Peru,” originally written by Msgr. Stephen M. DiGiovanni as “Bridgeportʼs Peru.” The book, presented by the Friends of Father Juan Tomis group, recounts Tomis’s journey from a courageous “yes” in 1963 to his impactful ministry in Peru. Tomis passed away on June 29, 1986, and his funeral drew some 20,000 mourners, a testament to his legacy.
