2025-04-04T09:31:20.000Z

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In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the local community, Father Arul Carasala, an Indian-origin Catholic priest, was tragically shot dead on Thursday in Kansas, United States. The news was confirmed by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who took to social media to express his profound sorrow over the loss. “I am heartbroken to share the tragic news of the death of Fr. Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot earlier today,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

This senseless act of violence has shaken the Archdiocese of Kansas City, leaving many to mourn the loss of a beloved leader and friend. Father Carasala was not just a priest; he was a guiding light for many in the community. The Archdiocese has requested prayers for both the parish in rural Kansas where he served and for the individual who committed this violent act.

Father Carasala served at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas, where he dedicated his life to the spiritual growth and welfare of his parishioners. Archbishop Naumann urged the community to remember Carasala not only in sorrow but in the hope of divine mercy. “In this time of sorrow, let us entrust Fr. Carasala to the mercy of God and lift in prayer his family in Cuddapah, India, his parish community at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, and all who mourn his passing,” he stated. The Archbishop further emphasized the importance of offering prayers for the perpetrator, expressing a hope for transformation and redemption.

Father Carasala had been a devoted pastor for more than twenty years, having joined the Archdiocese in Kansas around 2004. He was ordained as a priest in India in 1994, and after years of service, he became a U.S. citizen in 2011. His contributions to the community have been profound, and he is remembered fondly by many who had the privilege of knowing him.

The investigation into his tragic death has led to the arrest of Gary L. Hermesch, a 66-year-old man from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has been charged with first-degree murder. As law enforcement continues their efforts to ensure public safety, Archbishop Naumann confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

In a demonstration of solidarity and grief, a prayer service was organized by the Knights of Columbus on the evening of the shooting, with plans for a subsequent mass to honor Father Carasala’s memory. “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,” Archbishop Naumann concluded in his heartfelt message.

The impact of Father Carasala's death has reverberated beyond his parish. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall expressed his deep sadness, stating, “I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Father Arul Carasala due to a senseless act of violence. I am praying for Father Carasala’s family, friends, and parishioners as they grieve. We must find who did this, and justice must be served.” Such sentiments echo the feelings of many in the community who are grappling with the reality of this tragic loss.