Archbishop Apologizes and Tries to Impose Strictest Penalty of Dismissal on Priest who Confessed to Murder Also Calling for Public Penance
The Catholic Church in Poland is in shock after a diocesan priest confessed to the brutal murder of a homeless man. The archbishop has called on the Vatican to dismiss the priest from the clerical state. He also apologized and called on the entire archdiocese to do penance, offer Masses, and pray in reparation of the crime.
A 68-year-old homeless man, was found dead in the village of Lasopole in the Mazowieckie province, Poland. The Radom District Prosecutor’s Office, reported that the crime was committed by a 60-year-old parish priest, Mirosław M., from a local village. The priest and the victim, Anatol Cz., had previously signed a donation agreement transferring a property to the priest, in exchange for lifelong care. They were arguing while driving through rural roads. During the argument, the priest allegedly struck the man with an axe and then set him on fire.
The reaction of the Archdiocese of Warsaw to the crime committed by a clergyman
A 68-year-old homeless man, was found dead in the village of Lasopole in the Mazowieckie province, Poland. The Radom District Prosecutor’s Office, reported that the crime was committed by a 60-year-old parish priest, Mirosław M., from a local village. The priest and the victim, Anatol Cz., had previously signed a donation agreement transferring a property to the priest, in exchange for lifelong care. They were arguing while driving through rural roads. During the argument, the priest allegedly struck the man with an axe and then set him on fire.
The reaction of the Archdiocese of Warsaw to the crime committed by a clergyman
July 26, 2025
Statement from the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Warsaw
1. Due to the seriousness of the crime and the great social scandal, Metropolitan of Warsaw Archbishop Adrian Galbas immediately requests the Holy See to impose the highest penalty provided for in canon law for a cleric – dismissal from the priesthood, in accordance with canon 1397 §3 of the Code of Canon Law.
2. The highest penalty in canon law refers to the highest possible sanction concerning clerical status. However, this does not mean that the Church limits itself to this sanction or that the perpetrator will not bear other responsibility. Secular law and canon law operate in parallel: in the case of the crime of murder, the criminal process is conducted by the state, and the sentence is imposed by the court. The Church declares full cooperation with the investigative bodies and the state justice system to clarify all the circumstances of this crime and awaits a just and appropriate punishment imposed by the state court.
3. By committing the crime of murder, the cleric has incurred a canonical irregularity, which is an impediment to performing any priestly duties. This is addressed in canon 1044 §1, in reference to canon 1041 of the Code of Canon Law. One of its consequences is the loss of the office of parish priest.
4. As of Friday morning, a replacement pastor has been secured in the parish in Przypki. Currently, the dean, in consultation with the curia, is responsible for the parish's operations – this is the customary solution when a parish lacks a pastor. A parish administrator for Przypki will be appointed soon.
5. Tomorrow, in all churches of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, a special communiqué from the Metropolitan of Warsaw, Archbishop Adrian Galbas, will be read during Holy Mass. Furthermore, an expiatory service will be celebrated after each Holy Mass.
Father Przemysław Śliwiński
spokesman for the Archdiocese of Warsaw
Words from Archbishop Adrian Galbas regarding the findings of the District Prosecutor's Office in Radom
I am devastated and devastated by the news that one of my priests brutally murdered a man – wrote Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Adrian Galbas SAC, in connection with the findings of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Radom.
Sisters and Brothers,
I have no words of comfort for you today, much less any explanation or justification. I am devastated and devastated by the news that one of my priests brutally murdered a man—a poor and homeless man. I have no answer to any question that begins with the word "why?"
I ask all priests of the Archdiocese of Warsaw to begin their personal penance and prayer of expiation today. Next Sunday, let us do this together – after every Holy Mass throughout the Archdiocese. The blood of our murdered brother cries out to God. Let us beg God for forgiveness – and let us beg others for forgiveness. I myself beg for this.
Let us also pray for the late Mr. Anatol and for his loved ones.
The Archdiocese of Warsaw will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies to clarify the circumstances of this crime. All necessary canonical procedures will also be undertaken.
As bishop of the Church in Warsaw, I feel morally responsible for everything that happens in this Church—both good and bad. Including this terrible crime. I apologize.
† Adrian Galbas
Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw
via: www.archwwa.pl
Statement from the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Warsaw
1. Due to the seriousness of the crime and the great social scandal, Metropolitan of Warsaw Archbishop Adrian Galbas immediately requests the Holy See to impose the highest penalty provided for in canon law for a cleric – dismissal from the priesthood, in accordance with canon 1397 §3 of the Code of Canon Law.
2. The highest penalty in canon law refers to the highest possible sanction concerning clerical status. However, this does not mean that the Church limits itself to this sanction or that the perpetrator will not bear other responsibility. Secular law and canon law operate in parallel: in the case of the crime of murder, the criminal process is conducted by the state, and the sentence is imposed by the court. The Church declares full cooperation with the investigative bodies and the state justice system to clarify all the circumstances of this crime and awaits a just and appropriate punishment imposed by the state court.
3. By committing the crime of murder, the cleric has incurred a canonical irregularity, which is an impediment to performing any priestly duties. This is addressed in canon 1044 §1, in reference to canon 1041 of the Code of Canon Law. One of its consequences is the loss of the office of parish priest.
4. As of Friday morning, a replacement pastor has been secured in the parish in Przypki. Currently, the dean, in consultation with the curia, is responsible for the parish's operations – this is the customary solution when a parish lacks a pastor. A parish administrator for Przypki will be appointed soon.
5. Tomorrow, in all churches of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, a special communiqué from the Metropolitan of Warsaw, Archbishop Adrian Galbas, will be read during Holy Mass. Furthermore, an expiatory service will be celebrated after each Holy Mass.
Father Przemysław Śliwiński
spokesman for the Archdiocese of Warsaw
Words from Archbishop Adrian Galbas regarding the findings of the District Prosecutor's Office in Radom
I am devastated and devastated by the news that one of my priests brutally murdered a man – wrote Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Adrian Galbas SAC, in connection with the findings of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Radom.
Sisters and Brothers,
I have no words of comfort for you today, much less any explanation or justification. I am devastated and devastated by the news that one of my priests brutally murdered a man—a poor and homeless man. I have no answer to any question that begins with the word "why?"
I ask all priests of the Archdiocese of Warsaw to begin their personal penance and prayer of expiation today. Next Sunday, let us do this together – after every Holy Mass throughout the Archdiocese. The blood of our murdered brother cries out to God. Let us beg God for forgiveness – and let us beg others for forgiveness. I myself beg for this.
Let us also pray for the late Mr. Anatol and for his loved ones.
The Archdiocese of Warsaw will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies to clarify the circumstances of this crime. All necessary canonical procedures will also be undertaken.
As bishop of the Church in Warsaw, I feel morally responsible for everything that happens in this Church—both good and bad. Including this terrible crime. I apologize.
† Adrian Galbas
Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw
via: www.archwwa.pl
Sources: Archdiocese of Poland; https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/Artykul/3557281,poland-shocked-as-priest-confessed-to-brutal-axe-murder-over-apartment-dispute and OSV News
Comments