On January 22, 2023, the first church in the world named after the Blessed Martyrs, Friars Zbigniew STRZA\u0141KOWSKI and Micha\u0142 TOMASZEK, was blessed. The church is attached to the Paz y Bien (Peace and All Good) Franciscan spirituality center in Chimbote, Peru.<\/p>\n
Friar Marian GO\u0141\u0104B, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), presided over the Mass of Blessing. He was in Chimbote as part of his canonical visitation to the Provincial Delegation in Peru. The concelebrants included Friar Jacek LISOWSKI, Delegate of the Minister Provincial in Peru; Friar Grzegorz ADAMCZYK, Director of the Paz y Bien Center; and Friar Jacek MICHNO, Provincial Exactor.
\nIn his homily, Friar Marian said, \u201cWe are participating in a historic event. We have blessed a church dedicated to our confreres, the Martyrs of Pariacoto. Why is this a historical event? Because it is the first church in the world to be named after them. It is the first church built in dedication to these martyrs who gave their lives near Pariacoto, in the Andes, not far from here. This church shall remind us of the blood that was shed for Christ, here in the Andes, near this center.\u201d
\nThe blessing of the foundation stone for the construction of the church took place two years earlier, on January 25, 2021. It was blessed by the Most Reverend \u00c1ngel Francisco SIM\u00d3N PIORNO, Bishop of Chimbote, Peru. The church is attached to the retreat center and will be accessible to the faithful and parishioners living in Chimbote. The retreat center hosts formational and catechetical meetings, as well as retreats for children, young people, adults and religious.
\nThe construction of the church is already finished. It is scheduled for consecration by the bishop on December 5, 2023, the anniversary of the Beatification of the Martyrs of Pariacoto. Their beatification took place on December 5, 2015, in Chimbote.
\nWe invite you to watch our video about the event:<\/p>\n