A diocesan priest confessed to the murder of a homeless man in a village south of Warsaw. The victim was found dead after an alleged argument with the priest over housing arrangements. Prosecutors allege the priest struck the man with an axe and set him on fire. The priest was arrested after being identified through license plate numbers. The Archdiocese of Warsaw will cooperate with law enforcement and initiate canonical procedures.
11 days ago
A Polish priest, identified as Father Miroslaw M., has been arrested and confessed to the brutal murder of a 68-year-old homeless man in the village of Lasopole, south of Warsaw 1, 3, 4. The victim, Anatol Cz., was found dead on the night of Thursday, July 24, 2025 1, 3, 4. Prosecutors have charged the priest with "murder with particular cruelty," a crime that carries a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment 1, 3.
The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a property donation agreement, where the priest had pledged lifelong care for the homeless man in exchange for his property 1, 3, 4. On the night of the murder, the priest and the victim were in a car when an argument erupted over the man's relocation 1, 3, 4. During the altercation, the priest allegedly struck the victim in the head with an axe and then set him on fire 1, 3, 4. An autopsy confirmed that the victim suffered extensive burns covering 80% of his body, along with head injuries caused by a sharp, heavy object 1, 3. Police were alerted by a cyclist who discovered the burning body, leading investigators to the priest via license plate numbers and his subsequent arrest by a counter-terrorism unit due to his licensed firearms 4.
Archbishop Adrian Galbas of Warsaw expressed profound devastation and shock over the news, stating he had "no words of comfort" or "explanation" for the brutal act 1, 3, 4. Due to the severity of the crime and significant public outrage, Archbishop Galbas immediately requested the Vatican to impose the highest canonical penalty: dismissal from the clerical state, also known as laicization 1, 3. This request is based on Canon 1397 of the Code of Canon Law, which stipulates that a cleric who commits homicide "must be dismissed from the clerical state" 1, 3.
The Archdiocese of Warsaw has affirmed its full cooperation with law enforcement authorities to clarify all circumstances of the crime and awaits a just punishment from the state court 1, 3. Father Miroslaw M. was replaced as pastor of his parish in Przypki on July 25, the day after the murder 1, 3.
Archbishop Galbas publicly acknowledged his moral responsibility as the local bishop, stating, "I apologize" for this terrible crime 1, 3, 4. He urged all priests in the Archdiocese of Warsaw to begin personal penance and prayers of atonement immediately, and called for communal acts of reparation after every Mass the following Sunday 1, 3, 4. The Archbishop emphasized that "the blood of our murdered brother cries out to God," and implored both divine and human forgiveness 1, 3, 4. He also requested prayers for the victim and his loved ones 1, 3, 4.
What are the Church's teachings on sin and clerical status?
The Catholic Church defines sin as an offense against God, reason, truth, and right conscience, which wounds human nature and injures human solidarity , . It is a disobedience to God's love and eternal law, turning the heart away from Him , . The seriousness of sin is fully revealed in Christ's passion, and it is overcome by His mercy .
The Church's understanding of sin is deeply connected to God's infinite and merciful love, as seen in how Jesus approached sinners, always offering hope and healing . To acknowledge one's sin and recognize oneself as a sinner is the essential first step in returning to God .
Sin is described in various ways in Scripture:
Every sin stands in a relationship with God, being an aversion from Him and His will, and making created things absolute . Sin is "love of self carried to the point of contempt for God" , . It is a conscious and voluntary violation of God's commandment, and violating even one commandment is a violation of all of God's Law .
For clerics, certain sins carry specific canonical penalties, including the potential for dismissal from the clerical state. The Code of Canon Law outlines various offenses and their corresponding punishments:
The sixth commandment of the Decalogue ("You shall not commit adultery") is particularly addressed in relation to clerics:
The clerical state, once validly received, never becomes invalid. However, a cleric can lose the clerical state through:
When imposing penalties on a cleric, care must be taken to ensure they do not lack what is necessary for their worthy support, except in the case of dismissal from the clerical state. If a person is truly in need after being dismissed, the Ordinary is to provide for them in the best way possible, but not by conferring an office, ministry, or function .
Penalties can include various forms of deprivation and prohibition, such as being ordered to reside in a certain place, paying a fine, prohibition from exercising offices or ministries, deprivation of the faculty of hearing confessions or preaching, and ultimately, dismissal from the clerical state .