‘Make the Church Great Again’: Letters Reveal Troubling Motive Behind Priest’s Killing in Kansas

The tight-knit community of Seneca is reeling after the shocking murder of a local Catholic priest — a man known for his kindness, humility, and unwavering devotion to his faith. Father Raj “Arul” Balaswamy Carasala, 57, was fatally shot last Thursday inside the rectory of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where he had served as pastor for more than a decade.

Now, newly uncovered letters and writings by the suspect paint a disturbing picture of a man driven by extreme religious views and a twisted mission to “make the church great again.”

A Quiet Afternoon Turns Tragic

It was a regular afternoon in this small Kansas town of just over 2,000 residents. Children from the nearby Catholic school were enjoying recess when the unthinkable happened just yards away.

Around 3 p.m., shots rang out inside the rectory. Father Carasala was found seriously wounded and rushed to the hospital — but he didn’t survive. The suspect, 66-year-old Gary Hermesch of Tulsa, Oklahoma, later walked into the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and turned himself in. Police say his own brother works at the department as a dispatcher.

A Chilling Discovery

After Hermesch’s arrest, investigators uncovered handwritten letters and publications suggesting he had been stewing over grievances with the Catholic Church for years. In them, he voiced frustrations with modern changes in church doctrine and expressed admiration for pre-Vatican II traditions — a period before the Church made several significant reforms in the 1960s.

But his writings took a darker turn. Hermesch wrote about wanting to “make the church great again,” borrowing language reminiscent of political slogans. He also reportedly blamed Jewish influence for what he saw as the Church’s decline, echoing dangerous and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Who Was Father Carasala?

Originally from India, Father Carasala had made Seneca his home since 2011. Ordained in 1994, he came to the U.S. to serve communities in need and eventually became a U.S. citizen. Parishioners say he was more than a priest — he was a friend, a mentor, and a pillar of hope for many.

“Father Arul was such a gentle soul,” said one church member. “He always had time to listen. He cared deeply about everyone — even people he barely knew.”

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas called his death “a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence” and asked for prayers for both Father Carasala and the community he served.

A Town in Mourning

Since the tragedy, locals have been gathering outside the church to light candles, pray, and leave flowers in his memory. Many are still trying to understand how such hatred could erupt in a place known for peace and faith.

“This wasn’t just an attack on a man — it was an attack on everything he stood for,” said longtime resident Mary Fulton. “He welcomed everyone with open arms. That’s the kind of man he was.”

Students from the parish school created handmade cards and prayer offerings, remembering the priest who often waved to them from the rectory window.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Questions

Hermesch is now being held on a $1 million bond and has been charged with first-degree murder. Investigators are still combing through his writings and looking into any possible connections he had with hate groups or extremist movements.

Police haven’t said whether Father Carasala and Hermesch knew each other personally, but evidence suggests the attack may have been premeditated.

A Wake-Up Call

Beyond the local shock and sorrow, this tragedy is raising broader concerns about the influence of radical ideologies and the need for vigilance in faith communities. Experts warn that extremist views, especially when left unchecked, can lead to devastating consequences — even in the most unexpected places.

Still, Seneca’s residents are leaning on each other and their faith to move forward.

“He would want us to forgive,” said another parishioner through tears. “And that’s the hardest part.”