A Catholic priest has died after being shot outside his rectory in the quiet town of Seneca, northeast Kansas.

Fr Arul Carasala, who served as pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church since 2011, was approached and shot multiple times on Thursday 3rd April.

He later died in the hospital, according to a statement on the church’s Facebook page.

A suspect is reportedly in custody.

Originally from India, Fr Carasala was ordained in 1994 and had ministered in Kansas since 2004. He became a US citizen in 2011.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas confirmed the news in a social media post: "This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend."

Kris Anderson, the church’s director of religious education, told the Associated Press: "From what we know, an older man walked up to him and shot him three times."

While authorities have yet to release further details, Archbishop Naumann assured the public there was no ongoing threat.

"Fr. Carasala was a devoted and zealous pastor," he wrote. "His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care."