“In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift up in prayer his family, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing. Let us also pray for the perpetrator, that God may touch and transform his heart.”
Details are scarce, but here is the statement of Archbishop Joseph Naumann, from the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas:
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.
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. His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him.
In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift up in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing. Let us also pray for the perpetrator, that God may touch and transform his heart.
There is no ongoing threat to the community, but I recognize the pain and shock that such an event brings. In moments like these, we turn to our Lord, who is close to the brokenhearted. As we grieve, may we find strength in our faith and in the hope of Christ’s Resurrection.
The Knights of Columbus will lead a Rosary tonight at 6 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca. I will celebrate a Mass there at 7:30 PM. I invite all who are able to join us in prayer.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
UPDATE — The Kansas City Star added some details Friday morning:
Saints Peter and Paul Parish shared Thursday that the shooting took place at the rectory, a house managed by the parish where Carasala, 57, lived as the resident priest. “We are in shock and disbelief,” Saints Peter and Paul Parish wrote on social media. “Please allow our parish community to process.”
Deputies from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office responded to the rectory at 411 Pioneer Street around 2:55 p.m. and discovered Carasala outside the building with gunshot wounds, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation shared Thursday night.
Shortly after the shooting, KBI personnel and sheriff’s deputies arrested Gary L. Hermesch of Tulsa, Oklahoma, KBI shared Thursday. Hermesch, 66, was booked into the Nemaha County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, KBI said. However, he has not been formally charged.
Father Carasala’s biography, from the parish website:
Father Arul Carasala became Pastor of St. Peter and Paul Parish on July 15, 2011. Father Arul was ordained a priest on March 4, 1994, for the Diocese of Cuddapah, located on the southeast coast of India. Father Arul was invited to visit Kansas by Archbishop James P. Keleher to possibly serve in the Archdiocese. Father Arul agreed and has been in Kansas since 2004. Father Arul briefly served as an associate pastor at Augustine Parish in Fidelity, Sacred Heart Parish in Sabetha and St. James Parish in Wetmore. He was then named Pastor of four parishes: St. Vincent de Paul in Onaga, St. Patrick Parish in Corning, St. Bede Parish in Kelly, and St. Columbkille in Blaine. Now Fr. Arul is serving as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church since July 2011.
On May 20, 2011, at the Federal Courthouse in Topeka, Kansas, Father Arul became an American citizen. Becoming an American does not mean cutting ties to India for Father Arul. As an American of Indian birth, the Indian government grants him OCI status — Overseas Citizen of India. As an OCI, he doesn’t need a visa to go to India and his American citizenship makes travel here and elsewhere easier. Father Arul states that his primary citizenship is United States. Father Arul feels the priesthood, indeed, the church, is universal and the church is home wherever he is.
A local news report states:
A Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson said their agents responded to Seneca to assist the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in a homicide investigation.
Seneca is about two hours northwest of the Kansas City area.
In your charity, please remember this priest in prayer, and ask our Blessed Mother to comfort and console all those who love him.