Indian priest shot dead in his parish in Kansas

Fr. Arul Carasala, a priest in the US of Indian origin, was shot dead Thursday at his parish rectory in Seneca.

In a Facebook post, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas said, “I am heartbroken to share the tragic news of the death of Fr. Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot earlier today. This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend.”

Carasala, who was ordained a priest in India in 1994, served as pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca since 2011, when he became a US citizen.

He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after.

“A suspected shooter is reportedly in custody,” the post said.

According to a witness, a man approached the priest at the refectory and fired at him three times.

The police arrested at the scene Gary L. Hermesch, a 66-year-old man from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Authorities were investigating the motive of the shooting.

The Knights of Columbus in Kansas led a rosary service on Thursday night in honor of the priest.

Fr. Joel Haug of Sacred Heart Catholic Church referred to Carasala as “rightly called the Bishop of Nemaha.”

In his post, Naumann said there was no ongoing threat to the community, “but I recognize the pain and shock that such an event brings.”

“Fr. Carasala was a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region,” Naumann said. “His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with enormous generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him.”

The archbishop also asked for prayers for the priest and his family.

“In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India.”