Kansas City Area Priest Commits Suicide

A young priest named Fr. Evan Patrick Harkins of St. James Parish has died by suicide, according to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Director of Communications Jeremy Lillig said the diocese was notified Tuesday morning of the death of Fr. Evan Harkins after he did not show up for Mass. He had been at St. James since 2012. Grief counselors will be available for parishioners.

The Diocese asked for prayer:

"In the face of this devastatingly tragic news, we ask that you pray for Fr. Harkins, his family, and the parish and school communities that he served as well as all of our priests. We will communicate further as we are able."