Polish priest wounded in stabbing returns to altar with message of forgiveness

Father Adrian Mantykiewicz returned to celebrate Mass at the Benedictine sisters’ abbey in Jaroslaw, Poland, on Sept. 26, two days after a knife attack at the abbey. During the homily, Father Mantykiewicz offered forgiveness on behalf of himself and the other priests involved. He asked for prayers for the attacker to receive the grace of conversion.

The Sept. 24 attack left five people wounded. Father Stanislaw Zbojniewicz died from his injuries, while Father Marek Pienkowski remained in serious but stable condition in the hospital as of Sept. 25. Father Mantykiewicz was treated and released the same day as the attack.

The suspect is a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen. Father Mantykiewicz urged the community not to blame Ukrainians living in Poland for the crime. He stated that the evil committed at the abbey must be overcome with goodness, love, and forgiveness.