Poland Monastery Knife Attack Leaves Priest Dead and Four Injured During Mass

A Poland monastery knife attack left a priest dead and four other people injured during Mass at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Jarosław on Thursday, 24 September, police and prosecutors said.

Authorities said a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen was arrested after the alleged stabbing at the religious site in southern Poland. The victims included four men and one woman, with several of those injured suffering serious wounds, according to officials.

Father Stanisław died following the attack, while another priest, Father Marek, was reported to be in serious condition.

Investigators have not announced a confirmed motive as they continue examining the circumstances surrounding the violence.

Poland Monastery Knife Attack Leaves Religious Community in Shock

Jarosław County Police Headquarters received a report at around 9:30 a.m. local time about a man allegedly attacking people with a knife during Mass at the monastery. Police said officers detained the suspect, while emergency services transported the injured victims to local hospitals.

Prosecutors said the victims suffered stab wounds that were likely inflicted with a kitchen knife. The District Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl confirmed that the suspect remained detained while authorities investigated the incident.

According to officials, the attack involved four men and one woman. Three of the victims were members of the clergy, while the injured woman's identity has not been disclosed.

The incident took place at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Jarosław, where clergy members and worshippers were present.

Sister Barbara Dendor told state broadcaster TVP Info that Father Stanisław had died and that Father Marek was in serious condition. She described the panic that followed the attack.

'When I arrived, there was total panic; young people who had come out of the centre witnessed it, they were saying, "Some madman, some madman!" ' she said, according to the report.

What Authorities Know About the Poland Monastery Knife Attack

Authorities have not confirmed why the alleged attack happened. Police said they were investigating the scene and examining the circumstances surrounding the violence.

Prosecutor Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz said the fatal victim was a man and confirmed that the remaining injured victims were taken for medical treatment in Jarosław. She also said the suspect was being held at the Jarosław police station.

A statement from Rzeszów Cathedral said Father Marek was undergoing surgery. The cathedral asked for prayers for his recovery and remembered Father Stanisław, the injured victims and their families.

The attack took place during a Mass service at a religious site, but officials have not publicly linked it to any political, religious or wider social motive.

The investigation remains focused on establishing the sequence of events inside the monastery and determining what led to the alleged violence.

Poland Monastery Knife Attack Prompts Official Responses

The incident prompted reactions from Polish officials, including Interior and Administration Minister Marcin Kierwiński, who said on X that a Ukrainian citizen had been detained after an attack on five people. He said authorities were investigating the motives and circumstances of the incident.

Jarosław Mayor Marcin Nazarewicz announced a period of mourning until the end of the week, according to reports. Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed condolences to the family of the priest who died and wished the injured a quick recovery.

'In the face of such acts, the state must be strong, act swiftly and relentlessly in enforcing the law,' Nawrocki wrote on X. 'The principles and values of our community must be respected by all those residing in our country.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the incident, calling it 'horrific' and expressing condolences to the family of the deceased.

Police and prosecutors continue to investigate the attack, including the alleged weapon used, the events inside the monastery and the circumstances surrounding the suspect's detention.

As of publication, Jarosław County Police Headquarters and the District Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl did not immediately provide further public comment beyond their initial statements. Prosecutors have not indicated when they will formally charge the 31‑year‑old, or what specific offences might be laid, beyond confirming that he is in custody and being questioned.