A priest was killed and four others injured in a stabbing attack at a monastery in south-eastern Poland on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Jaroslaw during mass, according to local authorities.

Police detained a 31-year-old Ukrainian man at the scene, who was found in possession of a knife. The suspect allegedly entered the monastery grounds and carried out the attack shortly after 9:30 a.m., with victims stabbed in multiple locations on the premises, including the church cafeteria and the Church of St Nicholas and St Stanislaus Bishop.

Jaroslaw Police confirmed that Stanislaw Zbojnowicz died from a stab wound to the chest. Four other individuals—three men and one woman, including two priests—were hospitalized with serious injuries. One of the injured priests, Marek Pieńkowski, initially was reported dead; however, the Rzeszów Cathedral later issued a correction stating he was still undergoing surgery for multiple stab wounds to the chest and lower extremities. The third priest remains in hospital with wounds to the chest and back.

The Benedictine Sisters Monastery, built in 1611, is a historic religious site that houses the Church of St Nicholas and St Stanislaus Bishop and includes seating designated for the sisters in the front pews.

Poland’s Interior Minister, Marcin Kieriwiński, described the attack as “tragic” and said authorities are investigating the motives and circumstances surrounding the incident. Jaroslaw’s mayor, Marcin Nazarzewicz, announced that crisis management protocols had been activated in the city and additional security measures were being implemented in local schools. He also urged monastery staff to exercise heightened caution.

A spokesman for Podkarpackie Police stated that officers continue to work at the scene to clarify the exact sequence of events. All injured victims were transported to hospitals for treatment, with some in critical condition. Police remain present at the monastery as the investigation continues.