Polish Priest Wounded in Jarosław Monastery Attack Urges Forgiveness, Warns Against Blaming All Ukrainians

Polish priest Father Adrian, wounded during an attack at a monastery in the southeastern city of Jarosław, has appealed to his compatriots not to hold all Ukrainians responsible for the violence. Speaking at a Mass, the cleric declared he forgave his assailant and asked the congregation to pray that the attacker might “experience the grace of conversion.” He insisted the “evil that occurred in the monastery” must be countered with goodness, love, and forgiveness.

The assault, which Polish authorities say was carried out by a Ukrainian national and left one person dead and four injured, has drawn condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who demanded a thorough investigation and full legal accountability. While the investigation continues, Father Adrian recalled the solidarity local residents showed toward Ukrainian refugees who arrived after Russia’s full-scale invasion. He urged the community to preserve that welcoming spirit and not let the incident fuel prejudice against an entire nation.

His message of reconciliation, widely cited by Polish outlet Onet, comes amid heightened tensions over the influx of Ukrainian migrants and occasional acts of violence. The priest’s stance has been held up as an example of moral leadership in a polarized environment.