Seneca, Kansas – The Catholic priest was shot dead and killed on Thursday by a man who approached him in his parish power in the city of Seneca, Kansas, church officials said.
“I am heartfelt to share the tragic news about the death of Oh. Arul Karasala, who was fatally shot early today,” said Archbishop Joseph Nauman of Kansas City Archbishopric in Kansas, in a Facebook publication. “This pointless act of violence let us grieve for the loss of a beloved priest, leader and friend.”
Karasala has been a pastor at the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Seneca since 2011, according to his profile on the parish website. He was ordained a priest in 1994 in his native India and in 2011 served in Kansas. He became a US citizen in 2011.
A publication on the Facebook parish page said the priest was shot in the church motor and died shortly afterwards at a local hospital.
“It is reported that the suspect is in custody,” the publication said.
Chris Anderson, director of the parish parishion, told the Associated Press that they knew little details.
“From what we know, a more adult man approached him and shot him three times,” she said, adding that he did not know who shot him or why.
People who responded to the phones at the Seneca police station and the Sheriff’s County Service did not, declined to comment. They directed calls to District Prosecutor Brad Lippert, who was traveling and did not immediately return a call or email from the Associated Press, looking for details of the shooting.
The archbishop said in his post that there was no constant threat to the community, but that he recognized the “pain and shock” that the priest’s death led to the community of about 2100 people in northeastern Kansas, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Topeka and about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest.
“Fr. Karasala was a dedicated and zealous pastor, who has been true to our archbishopric for more than twenty years, including as dean of the region there is no marchal,” he writes. “His love for Christ and His Church were obvious in how He serves his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends and brother of the brothers will miss him deeply.”
