(LifeSiteNews) — A priest died in the wake of a knife attack at a Benedictine convent in southeastern Poland.
According to Polish Catholic outlet Polonia Christiana, a 31-year-old Ukrainian stabbed five people, including three priests and two members of the laity, a man and a woman, at the monastic foundation in Jarosław (pronounced ‘Yar-o-swaf’) this morning.
Fr. Stanisław Zbojnowicz died from his wounds.
Polonia Christiana reported that all of the wounded were taken to the hospital. Reports differed over how many priests had died. The earliest reports said that one had succumbed to his injuries, but at 2 p.m. local time, Rzeszów Cathedral announced over Facebook that two priests had died.
However, Polish media later reported that one priest is dead. Two others are in serious condition.
Rzeszów Cathedral apologized for its mistake “and for the pain it may have caused.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the killer is Ukrainian and in the hands of Polish police.
“He will be punished to the full extent of the Polish law,” Tusk wrote. “I join with the loved ones of the victims of this brutal attack in their suffering.”
Morderca z Jarosławia jest w rękach Polskiej Policji. Trwają czynności. Sprawca to obywatel Ukrainy. Będzie ukarany z całą surowością polskiego prawa. Łączę się w bólu z bliskimi ofiar tego brutalnego ataku.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) September 24, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also condemned the attack.
A horrific crime at the Benedictine Sisters’ Abbey in Jarosław, committed by a Ukrainian citizen. We are shaken by this evil.
According to the information available so far, a Catholic priest was killed and several other people were injured.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We wish all those injured a speedy recovery.The perpetrator of this evil must bear full responsibility in accordance with the law. We count on a swift and thorough investigation of all the circumstances.
It is painful that people are capable of such evil crimes. Justice must be done.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 24, 2026
The knifings follow increasing tension in Poland regarding the presence of the millions of Ukrainians who fled from the nearby war with Russia. Jarosław is located about 25 miles from the Ukrainian border. However, the UK’s Sky News reported that the alleged killer, Ihor M., entered Poland earlier today from Germany.
According to the Hungarian Conservative, the suspect “first entered a kitchen inside the abbey complex, where he took a knife.” He then stabbed a priest in “the adjoining café area” before entering the church. Confessions were being heard, and the church was filling with the congregation for the 10 a.m. Mass. Here, the suspect stabbed two more priests, as those gathered tried to stop him.
A motive for the attack has not yet been revealed.
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