Winnipeg Police Charge Man Following Knife Attack Attempt on Priest

February 13, 2025 TruthUSA

Authorities have pressed charges against a 50-year-old man following an attempted knife assault on a priest in Winnipeg.

The incident occurred during a church service on Feb. 9 around 6 p.m., as per officials.

Reports indicate that Winnipeg police received a complaint about someone disrupting a church service in the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue.

Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered that a 50-year-old suspect had approached the altar with a knife.

A 38-year-old priest was conducting a service at the altar during the incident.

“The suspect tried to attack the victim, who thankfully managed to escape unscathed,” police stated.

Officials mentioned that the suspect plunged the knife into the altar and then sat down in a chair at the back of the altar.

No injuries were reported, according to law enforcement.

Following the incident, Pawel Olownia has been charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, and disturbing a meeting.

An off-duty RCMP member assisted in apprehending the suspect, with the assistance of other church attendees, police reported. Upon police arrival, Olownia was arrested.

A statement on the parish’s Facebook page expressed gratitude to everyone who assisted during the incident.

“We are grateful that nobody was injured. Please continue to keep the entire parish community in your prayers, as we also pray for everyone,” said the Feb. 12 statement.

The parish also confirmed that all masses and devotions will proceed as planned.

Montreal Attack

A similar assault on a priest occurred in Montreal in 2019. During that incident, the priest was attacked with a knife during a church service livestream.

Rev. Claude Grou was stabbed in that attack and was subsequently hospitalized and treated for injuries after the March 22 incident.

The incident garnered international media attention.

Mayor Valerie Plante addressed the incident on social media, condemning it as a “horrible and inexcusable act.” She wished Grou a swift recovery.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also extended well wishes to the priest on social media.

“Father Claude Grou, Canadians are thinking of you and wishing you a swift recovery,” he wrote in the post.

The individual involved in that incident, Vlad Cristian Eremia, was 27 years old at the time. He was eventually ruled not criminally responsible for his actions. Eremia was facing charges of attempted murder and assault with a weapon.

Grou returned to work a week later, expressing no animosity towards the assailant. He hoped that the suspect would receive the necessary help.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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