SENECA (KSNT) - Gary Hermesch, the man charged for allegedly shooting and killing a Catholic priest in Seneca had previously shared his opinions in a local newspaper. From January 2021 to March 2024, Hermesch submitted entries to The Courier-Tribune, a newspaper covering Seneca and Nemaha County. The Courier-Tribune shared copies of six issues with 27 News, where Hermesch shared his thoughts on religion and a wide range of other topics in the 'Letter to the Editor' column. "Let's not sweat the small stuff, though, maybe if we just follow Donald Trump's example we'll 'make the Church great again'. So why are things headed south like a runaway freight train? Simple. The faith is not being taught. Now is that equality and tolerance of other religions, or what?" Statement excerpt by Gary Hermesch from Aug. 4, 2021 Letter to the Editor, The Courier-Tribune Topeka council to consider $587M 5-year capital improvement plan While Hermesch writes about Catholicism and the Vatican in some letters, he does not mention Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Father Arul Carasala or the town of Seneca. Excerpt from Jan. 20, 2021 Courtesy: The Courier-TribuneExcerpt from Aug. 4, 2021 Courtesy: The Courier-TribuneExcerpt from Feb. 16, 2022 Courtesy: The Courier-TribuneExcerpt from Dec. 14, 2022 Courtesy: The Courier-TribuneExcerpt from April 5, 2023 Courtesy: The Courier-TribuneExcerpt from March 24, 2024 Courtesy: The Courier-Tribune On Friday, April 4, Hermesch, 66, appeared before a judge in court after being charged with first-degree murder by the Nemaha County District Attorney. He is accused of shooting and killing Father Carasala, 57, of Seneca on April 3. Man charged as adult in 2023 homicide in Topeka Law enforcement was called at 2:50 p.m. on Thursday, April 3 to the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church rectory located at 411 Pioneer Street in Seneca on reports of gunshots, according to a report from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). Deputies with the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Seneca Police Department found Father Carasala outside the rectory suffering from gunshot wounds. First responders took Father Carasala to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. However, he later died at the hospital despite attempts to save his life. Law enforcement later arrested Hermesch in connection to the shooting. He was taken to the Nemaha County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. ...read more read less