Mysuru: A Catholic priest was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday in a parish of Mysore diocese.

The diocesan officials have rushed to PG Palaya, some 35 km from Mysore, where Fr Raja Kannu’s body was reportedly found hanging from a fan in the church premises.

The parish in in Charmrajnagar district of Karnataka state.

The circumstances leading to his death are still unknown. The police are investigating the matter.

A local Kannada TV channel has reported that as death occurred early morning on April 13.

The priest with Bishop Vazhappilly on his birthday
The priest with Bishop Vazhappilly

Sources in Mysore described the priest as vibrant, non-controversial, hardworking, spiritual and amicable. “This death is incomprehensible. We can only wait for investigations but for certain the Mysore diocese has lost an able and dedicated priest in the prime of his life,” the sources told Matters India.

Fr Raja Kannu had celebrated his 56th birthday on April 9.

He was born on April 9, 1960 and studied in St Philomena’s School and college in Mysore.

His previous posting was in Gundulpet parish on the border of Ooty and Mysore. He had also served as the parish priest of St Joseph’s Church Mandya.

Many priests and lay people in Mysore regarded him as an able administrator and a pastoral-minded parish priest.

The P G Palaya parish church plans a Mass at 5 pm on Wednesday, according to the bishop’s secretary.

The funeral Mass is scheduled at 11 am on Thursday, April 14, at Jagery parish.