In Seneca, Kansas, a beloved Catholic priest, Rev. Raj “Arul” Balaswamy Carasala, was tragically shot and killed by an Oklahoma gunman named Gary Hermesch. The incident occurred at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, where Carasala served as pastor since 2011. The shooting took place in the church’s rectory, just steps away from where young students were playing outside the parish’s school. The young fourth-graders heard the gunfire that ultimately resulted in Carasala’s death, leaving the community in shock and grief.
Hermesch, who allegedly killed Carasala, surrendered himself to the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office, where his brother works as a dispatcher, shortly after the shooting. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, and Hermesch was charged with first-degree murder. Local residents described Hermesch as a kind of a loner, and they revealed that he had a history of sending controversial letters to a local newspaper. In these letters, he criticized the Catholic Church for becoming too modern and blamed Jewish people and the Second Vatican Council for hurting the church.
Rev. Carasala, originally from India, was ordained in 1994 and had been serving at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church for over a decade. He was known as a faithful and caring priest who touched the lives of many in the community. The shocking murder of Carasala left residents and members of the church reeling, with many struggling to come to terms with the senseless act of violence. Witnesses to the shooting, like Mike Haug and Lisa Kidd, expressed their disbelief and heartbreak over the tragic events that unfolded at their local parish.
The small town of Seneca, home to around 2,100 residents, was deeply affected by the loss of Rev. Carasala. The community came together to mourn and remember the priest’s contributions and impact on their lives. Lisa Kidd, whose children attend the school at the church, shared the heartbreak her family experienced after the shooting. The tragic incident sparked conversations about the increasing sense of unpredictability and violence in the world, with many struggling to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur in their close-knit community.
As the investigation into the shooting continued, residents of Seneca and beyond grappled with the aftermath of the tragic loss of Rev. Carasala. The priest’s deep faith, pastoral care, and generous spirit were celebrated and remembered by those who knew him. The shocking nature of the shooting served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of peaceful places such as churches and the impact of senseless acts of violence. The community rallied together in support of one another, seeking comfort and solace during a time of profound sorrow and disbelief. Rev. Carasala’s memory lived on in the hearts of those he touched, leaving a lasting legacy of faith, love, and compassion in the face of tragedy.
