A Catholic priest has been killed after being stabbed at his church rectory in the United States.

65 year old Fr Stephen Gutgsell called the police at around 5am at the weekend and told police that someone was attempting to break into the rectory at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. When officers arrived, they found Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside.

The priest was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.

In a statement, Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson said 43 year old Kierre L. Williams, who's from Iowa, had been arrested on charges of homicide and using a weapon to commit a felony.

In 2007, Gutgsell was sentenced to probation after admitting embezzling $127,000 from an area church. Church leaders said he had admitted wrongdoing and sought forgiveness.

His brother Rev Michael Gutgsell, also pled guilty to theft charges earlier this year.

Sheriff Robinson told a US TV network that authorities did not believe Stephen Gutgsell’s death was related to his criminal history.