By Joe Milicia
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - A Roman Catholic priest found dead in his church's rectory following a fire had been shot to death, authorities said Sunday.

The Rev. William Gulas, 69, pastor of St. Stanislaus Church, died of a single gunshot wound to the chest Saturday, the county coroner said. His death has been ruled a homicide.

At a press conference Sunday called by Mayor Jane Campbell, police said they still are investigating and do not have any suspects.

"Father Gulas was very well liked in the community and he had a number of friends, so this is really a mystery," said Celeste Glasgow, the mayor's spokeswoman.

A preliminary investigation shows Father Gulas had been shot and suffered a blow to the top of his head before the fire, said Dr. Elizabeth Balraj, the Cuyahoga County coroner.

Father Gulas's body was found in an office, Assistant Fire Chief Edward Whatley said. The body was burned beyond recognition, according to the coroner's office.

Two others inside the rectory escaped the fire.

The arson unit is investigating. Chief Whatley estimated damage at $50,000.

Father Gulas came to St. Stanislaus in 1993 and led a campaign to renovate the 129-year-old church in the city's Slavic Village neighborhood.

"I know what a tremendous personal loss this is for this parish," Bishop Anthony Pilla said during a Mass for Father Gulas at St. Stanislaus on Saturday night. "We're just going to miss a good, holy priest in our midst."