José Antônio Peruzzo was born on 19 April 1960 in Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil. He attended the Marist College and the São José Minor Seminary in Curitiba. He completed his philosophical studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (1979-1981) and the theological studies in the Studium Theologicum (1982-1985). He continued his studies in Rome, obtaining a licenciate in sacred scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1988-1992) and a doctorate in biblical theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (2002-2004). On 22 December 1985, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Cascavel.[1]
His pastoral work included serving as coordinator of religious instruction for the diocese. He became pastor of the diocesan cathedral parish and served on two diocesan bodies, the college of consultors and the priests council. His academic career included terms as Professor at the Diocesan Center of Theology and Rector of the Theological Seminary of Cascavel.[1]
