Priest Killed, Four Hurt in Knife Attack at Polish Abbey
A 31 year old Ukrainian man carried out a knife attack on September 24 at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw, in southeastern Poland, after entering the country from Germany earlier that day. The attacker stabbed five people, three clergy and two laypeople, killing Father Stanislaw Zbojnowicz and leaving two others in life threatening condition. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the attacker would be punished with the full severity of Polish law, and President Karol Nawrocki called for authorities to quickly and thoroughly clarify the circumstances of the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, saying the perpetrator must bear full responsibility under the law. The suspect remains in police custody while authorities investigate his motive and test whether he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time; witnesses said he had asked for money earlier in the day and became enraged when refused. Two days after the attack, a surviving priest, Father Adrian Mantykiewicz, returned to the altar and told worshippers "we forgive," asking the congregation to pray for the attacker.
