The Archbishop of Warsaw has asked the Vatican to defrock a Polish priest accused of murdering a homeless man with extreme cruelty.
Prosecutors say the cleric, named only as Mirosław M., allegedly struck 68-year-old Anatol Cz. with an axe, set him on fire, and fled the scene, as reported by The Independent.
The fatal altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute over housing linked to a donation agreement, under which the priest had pledged lifelong care for the man.
“An autopsy showed that the victim suffered burns covering 80 per cent of his body and head injuries caused by a sharp-edged heavy object,” said Aneta Góźdź, spokesperson for the Radom District Prosecutor’s Office.
A passing cyclist discovered the victim and called emergency services.
Mirosław M., who is currently in custody, faces a murder charge with potential punishment ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment.
Warsaw Archbishop Adrian Galbas formally requested the Vatican remove the priest from clerical office, the highest penalty under canon law.
The Holy See has not yet issued a public response.