A priest has died following a stabbing at a Benedictine convent in Jarosław, southeastern Poland, on September 24. A 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen who was in possession of a knife has been detained in connection with the incident, in which reportedly four men and one woman were stabbed.

Another victim is in critical condition following the attack. The priest who has died has been identified as Fr Stanisław Zbojnowicz.

Rzeszów Cathedral incorrectly announced the death of a second priest, Marek Pieńkowski, and apologised “for this error and for the pain it may have caused”. The cathedral stated that the priest was still undergoing surgery and that the community was filled with “great sadness” following the attack.

Police stated that they became aware of the stabbing at around 9.30am local time, which occurred on the grounds of the abbey. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

Speaking for Jarosław County Police Headquarters, Anna Długosz confirmed that a man had stabbed four men and a woman. Długosz could not confirm whether the woman who was attacked was a nun. A spokeswoman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl, Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz, stated that “both lay people and clergy” who attended Mass were involved in the incident.

The Mirror reported that Sister Barbara Dendor, superior of the convent, said: “What can I say, he simply wanted to murder us. First, he stabbed us there, and then he fled to the church. In total, he attacked four priests. One of them died on the spot. The other is fighting for his life in serious condition. Two others are injured, but probably not severely enough to be life-threatening.”

She continued: “The priests defended the faithful. They saved them. We, as sisters, are safe. None of us were hurt. Nor were any of the children from the preschool we run at the convent hurt.

“I am shocked by what happened. It’s unimaginable. We pray for the soul of the deceased priest and for the recovery of those injured.”

Sr Dendor stated that when she arrived, “there was total panic”. “Young people who had come out of the centre witnessed it. They were saying: ‘Some madman, some madman!’”

Poland’s Interior Minister, Marcin Kierwiński, said: “Tragic events in Jarosław. A Ukrainian citizen was immediately detained by police after an attack on 5 people. The services are investigating the motives and circumstances of the incident.”

Jarosław mayor Marcin Nazarewicz said that the crisis management team had informed schools, offices and parishes of the attack and told them to be vigilant regarding who entered their buildings. He stated that schools in the town had been advised not to let children outside.