Key facts
- A priest injured in a Sept. 24 knife attack at a Polish monastery urged against blaming Ukrainians for the assailant's actions.
- The suspected attacker, identified as 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen Ihor M., killed one priest and injured four others.
- Ihor M. has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and causing grievous bodily harm.
- Psychiatric experts found Ihor M. was unable to participate in legal proceedings due to an acute psychotic disorder.
- Father Adrian, who was wounded, stated he forgave the attacker and asked for prayers for his conversion.
- Polish Bishop Krzysztof Zadarko warned against assigning collective blame to Ukrainians.
A Polish priest who was injured in a fatal knife attack at the Benedictine Sisters' Abbey in Jaroslaw, Poland, on Sept. 24 has called for the public not to attribute blame to Ukrainians for the actions of the suspected attacker. Father Adrian, who sustained injuries to his head and hand, returned to celebrate Mass two days after the incident and implored attendees to refrain from blaming the perpetrator's nation.
"The evil was committed by a specific person who is responsible for his actions," Father Adrian stated, advocating for a response of "love, support, and understanding." He also revealed that he had forgiven the suspected attacker, identified as 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen Ihor M., and requested prayers for his "grace of conversion."
The attack, which involved a knife, resulted in the death of Catholic priest Stanislaw Zbojnowicz and injuries to four others, three of whom were members of the clergy. Polish prosecutors have charged Ihor M. with murder, attempted murder, and causing grievous bodily harm. Psychiatric experts who examined him indicated he was experiencing symptoms of an acute psychotic disorder and was unable to participate in legal proceedings at the time of the examination. A Polish court subsequently ordered the suspect to be held in custody.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as a "horrific crime" on Sept. 24, asserting that the perpetrator must "bear full responsibility in accordance with the law." Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, also expressed his belief that the attack was not nationally motivated.
The incident occurred amidst rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland and growing strains in relations between Warsaw and Kyiv. Polish officials and church leaders have cautioned against assigning collective blame to Ukrainians for the attack. Bishop Krzysztof Zadarko, speaking at a press conference on Sept. 25, emphasized that shifting blame from an individual to an entire ethnic or national group constitutes an "abuse."