WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The archbishop of Warsaw has formally requested that the Vatican defrock a priest implicated in the brutal murder of a 68-year-old homeless man. The victim, identified as Anatol Cz., met a violent end when he was reportedly beaten with an ax and subsequently set afire.
On Saturday, prosecutors charged the priest, referred to only as Miroslaw M. due to Polish privacy regulations, with murder characterized by particular cruelty. He is currently in custody awaiting trial and faces the possibility of being sentenced to a term ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment.
The grim events unfolded late Thursday, with investigators detailing that the priest and the victim were together in a vehicle when a heated argument erupted. Aneta Gózdz, a spokesperson for the Radom District Prosecutor's Office, stated that the dispute originated from a prior agreement in which the priest had pledged to provide lifelong care and assistance to the homeless man. The argument became intense, focusing on the future living arrangements for the victim.
According to the allegations, in a moment of extreme violence, the priest struck Anatol Cz. on the head with an ax. Following this assault, he poured a flammable substance on the victim and ignited it. According to the spokesperson, the priest fled the scene upon noticing an approaching bicyclist.
The quick-thinking cyclist stumbled upon the horrific sight of the victim engulfed in flames and promptly alerted emergency responders. An autopsy revealed that Anatol Cz. sustained burns covering approximately 80% of his body along with severe head injuries indicative of being hit by a heavy, sharp-edged object, as reported by Gózdz.
In response to this shocking crime, Warsaw Archbishop Adrian Galbas publicly called on the Holy See to dismiss Miroslaw M. from the priesthood, which is regarded as the most severe disciplinary action under canon law applicable to clergy members. In a statement addressing the archdiocese, the archbishop expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging the Catholic community to pray for the victim and his grieving loved ones.
Galbas articulated his devastation regarding the horrifying nature of the crime, emphasizing his commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the Vatican has yet to provide an official comment regarding the archbishop's request or the situation at hand.
As the investigation progresses, this harrowing incident sheds light on issues concerning the relationship between clergy and vulnerable populations, as well as the responsibilities that come with such roles in society. The focus remains not only on the alleged crime but also on the implications for the church and how it handles allegations of misconduct among its members.
