He was fatally shot in his home on Saturday. OConnell, 69, a beloved priest in the diocese, who administered its San Gabriel Valley region, was found fatally shot on Feb. 18 at his Hacienda Heights home. He is survived by his brother Kieran and extended family. But grateful to God for having had all those years a good friend to walk the road with, he said. . I am here. It was solemn yet emotionally riotous. Ruth Graham and Christine Hauser contributed reporting. pulling into the bishops driveway and then leaving a short time later, the sheriff said. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. Mayors Eric Garcetti and James Hahn, and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. He was also the chairman of the interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force which helped coordinate the churchs response to immigrant children and families from Central America in recent years. Pope Francis named O'Connell an auxiliary bishop in 2015. That inspired him to organize retreats for men usually in the mountains focusing on how to be good fathers and husbands, something he saw as key to the health of a community. (Jay L. Clendenin / LA Times) In it, he talks about his emotional visit to Lourdes, where he felt the presence of Our Lady. The Holy Father said the ministry of the late Bishop was marked especially by his profound concern for the poor, immigrants and those in need, his efforts to uphold the sanctity and dignity of Gods gift of life and his zeal for fostering solidarity, co-operation and peace within the local community. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. OConnell, a native of Ireland who spent most of his four decades as a priest ministering in LAs inner city, has died. Visitation He was a father figure for a lot of us, he said. Before the Mass, he remembered being OConnells shadow as the bishop mentored him into priesthood in South L.A. He was a mentor, and a spiritual father, Meyer said. David OConnell, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, leading a memorial service in 2020. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. But now the Cork man that he is has left without saying goodbye. A vigil Mass was held Thursday for Auxiliary Bishop David G. OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. He was arrested about six hours later when he walked out of his home, he said. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. OConnell, 69, was born in County Cork, in the south of the Republic of Ireland. He was the chairman of the interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force, helping coordinate the local churchs response to the influx of migrants from Central America in recent years and navigating the challenges presented by changing immigration policies. DAVID O'CONNELL OBITUARY. LOS ANGELES - Funeral services were announced Thursday for Los Angeles Catholic Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell, who was gunned down at his home in Hacienda The community mourns the loss of Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell, who was found shot dead in Hacienda Heights. No matter what the configuration of the family is, the call is still to adults to think about how to provide the best, most loving, faithful environment for children possible. The comments were made in a video associated with the Catholic World Meeting of Families event in Dublin and generated some controversy when they were edited from a later version of the video. He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honoured and protected., Politics professor and author Peter Dreier said the bishop was a progressive community organiser who used his charm to get powerful people to listen and help. He feared I was going to say goodbye. A public viewing will be held March 2 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m., followed by a vigil Mass at 7:00 p.m. The danger is when we accept that as normal, said OConnell in an interview before being honored for his service to the community and the Church in LA with the Evangelii Gaudium Award from St. Johns Seminary in Camarillo last year. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. He studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin, and later moved to Los Angeles to begin his own ministry where he was ordained to serve by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979. Medina is the husband of O'Connell's housekeeper, and he also performed handyman work at the bishop's home, authorities said. All Los Angeles county flags were lowered to half-mast after his death and people gathered to pray for him outside his home and in parishes where he had worked since his arrival in Los Angeles more than 43 years ago. Many US and Hispanic friends commented approvingly on his fluent Spanish spoken in a strong Irish accent, despite the years abroad. in journalism from the University of Southern California. He offered his condolences to the family of the late Bishop. But weeks of mourning and remembrances culminated in the Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown Los Angeles, ending three days of funeral farewells for the man lovingly called Bishop Dave., There was also a service on Wednesday at his home parish, St. John Vianney, in Hacienda Heights, followed by a viewing and vigil on Thursday. The viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. A vigil Mass will be held following the public viewing at 7 p.m. and will be livestreamed both here and here. He was ministering at St Frances Xavier Cabrini parish when the LA riots broke out in 1992, following the beating of African American motorist Rodney King by police officers. This is Pope Francis prayer intention for the month of March, God really intervened: How a Catholic priest escaped from his kidnappers in Haiti, Decline in vocations to the priesthood is worse where priests serve larger flocks, report says, Suspect confesses to the murder of Bishop David OConnell, LA prosecutor says, Catholics, are you going to confession? Beverly - David R. O'Connell, 58, of Beverly, died on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Beverly Hospital. A public viewing is held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Archbishop Jose Gomez at the Funeral Mass for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. He was 69. The Sheriffs department has not offered further details on the circumstances of his death, which is under investigation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, OConnell made headlines when he led a blessing of the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas as he, held up a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, Its been the great joy of my life to be the pastor of these people, especially the ones who are suffering or in need or facing difficulty, OConnell, . He was just this light that radiated so much positivity, love and encouragement, she said. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed both here and here. Respect each other. Bishop Dave loved and served Jesus with all of his heart and all of his strength. (Photo by Dean Musgrove), People attend a public viewing for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. He has interned in the U.S. House of Representatives, on a U.S. Senate campaign, in the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, and at the Susan B. Anthony List. He later described his role in the rebuilding of the historic church as one of support and encouragement.. Many young immigrants, Hamilton added, likely would not have been granted asylum without OConnells work. Surrounding the casket stood four Knights of Columbus from the churchs fraternal organization and off to the side was a white floral arrangement under his portrait. He came home days later to find widespread destruction in much of his parishs territory. Obituary of David O'Connell, 64. Hes left quite a big void in our community with all the work that he did and we all have to pick up where he left off in some small way, Hamilton said. Bishop David O'Connell, who was shot dead at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. At the national level, OConnell was the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. Its currently unclear what the motive for the killing was. He was the loving husband to Lynnette (Strople) O'Connell with whom he shared 21 years of marriage. O'Connell was a native of Ireland and had been a priest and later a bishop in Los Angeles for 45 years. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. In 2018, he spoke about the need to recognise that there were all sorts of configurations of families, including single parents, gay couples and people in second marriages. How the biggest companies plan mass layoffs, Greece train crash: Rescuers to wrap up search operation, Thinking Anew Speaking the language of compassion. David OConnell, the Bishops nephew, expressed the same reverence for his uncle. Helping, supporting and generally being the face of Jesus for me and many many others. O'Connell was 69. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Monsignor Jarlath Cunnane delivers the homily for his long-time friend, Bishop David OConnell, at the Funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. Looking back on the impact of the pandemic, OConnell remarked that Covid-19 has done a lot of damage not just to our health but to our hearts and souls.. And we thought we really had achieved a lot of progress. During Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels the next day, Archbishop Gomez announced that the LA County Sheriffs Department had confirmed to the archdiocese earlier that morning that investigators had ruled his death a homicide. He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored and protected, the archbishop said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced on Sunday that Los Angeles Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was killed and said it was working to find "those responsible" for his death. One day earlier, Gomez said O'Connell had "passed away unexpectedly," but gave no additional details. A Catholic bishop who church leaders remembered as a "peacemaker" was found dead of a gunshot wound on Saturday. He was the loving husband to Lynnette (Strople) O'Connell with Reyes said that the large number of people attending the viewing on Thursday showed how many lives OConnell impacted. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem stand as others pay their respects during the viewing for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in Downtown Los Angeles, March 2, 2023. A Magdalene laundry and its clients: Holles Street, Fitzwilliam Tennis Club, Captain Americas, Conor OBrien inexplicably and shockingly shot dead by Earl McKevitt over pizza delivery error, Before I would have held my husbands hand walking around the streets. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. A Magdalene laundry and its clients: Holles Street, Fitzwilliam Tennis Club, Captain Americas, Conor OBrien inexplicably and shockingly shot dead by Earl McKevitt over pizza delivery error, Before I would have held my husbands hand walking around the streets. He praised Bishop OConnell as a good friend of Los Angeles who had served the city for more than 40 years. Well never make it up, but maybe we can make a dent.. He helped restore trust between residents and law enforcement by organizing meetings with police officers in peoples homes and providing opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation in the aftermath of the 1992 LA riots. He began his day before dawn, ended it after midnight and filled almost every hour with people, all sorts of people in every state of emotion, need and grace. He joked that he looked at him and the dog so at peace that sometimes he fancied that the dog had learned the rosary!. Gartland said she knew OConnell through working with Catholic schools in South L.A. when he was a pastor at St. Michaels, among a series of L.A. churches where he rooted his ministry in a community afflicted with poverty and violence. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Priests and bishops walk to the altar for Bishop David OConnells Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. The suspect, Carlos Medina, 65, is married to Bishop OConnells housekeeper and had done work at the bishops house in Hacienda Heights, Calif., a suburban community in the San Gabriel Valley, Sheriff Robert G. Luna said at a news conference. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. We are sad to announce that on October 8, 2020 we had to say goodbye to David Hall of Orem, Utah, born in Price, Utah. Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. OConnell, who was known as Bishop Dave, served the San Gabriel Pastoral Region of the archdiocese, which covers East Los Angeles through the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Out of his love for God, he served this city for more than 40 years as an immigrant from Ireland, he said. The bishop's body was discovered when a deacon went to the home to check on him, because O'Connell was apparently late for a meeting, Sheriff Robert Luna said earlier this week. The murder charge against Medina includes an allegation of the personal use of a firearm, meaning he faces up to 35 years to life in state prison if he is convicted as charged. A tipster told detectives on Sunday evening that he was concerned because Mr. Medina, who lives in Torrance, Calif., had been acting strange, irrational and made comments about the bishop owing him money, Sheriff Luna said. Be considerate and give others the benefit of the doubt. Los Angeles County Roman Catholics paid their respects to Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell during a public viewing and vigil Thursday, March 2, at the churchs Downtown L.A. cathedral that filled the 3,000-capacity house of worship. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), An overflow crowd fills the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the Funeral Mass for Bishop David OConnell in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. OConnell would later tell how he was, in Washington, D.C., testifying before a panel on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, there will be a memorial Mass for OConnell at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1345 Turnbull Canyon Rd. He said the housekeeper was fully cooperating with detectives. He found the good in people, praised it, and spoke it into them., The recessional at the Funeral Mass for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), A Vigil Mass for Bishop David OConnell is held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. A Catholic bishop who church leaders remembered as a "peacemaker" was found dead of a gunshot wound on Saturday. Folks lined the aisles and craned their necks from behind the pews, not wanting to miss a moment of the Mass or their chance to say goodbye to a man theyd called a friend. The younger OConnell described how his uncle ended every phone call by telling his nephew how proud of him he was. On Saturday, parishioners gathered at the scene of O'Connell's death and lit candles in memory of the religious leader, Los Angeles Daily News reporter Clara Harter tweeted. David OConnell, nephew of Bishop David OConnell, speaks at the Funeral Mass for his uncle at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), The casket of Bishop David OConnell arrives at the Funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA Friday, March 3, 2023. As a former Catholic who had stopped going to Mass because of the sex abuse scandals, she approached the job with scepticism, but his energy and dedication to his community won her over. And thats what OConnells ministry was ultimately about, Cunnane said: friendship communion. OConnell completed a degree in philosophy and English literature at UCD in 1975 and received a Bachelor of Divinity from Maynooth College in 1977. He felt that it was his lifes mission to work with the disadvantaged poor in the wealthiest region of the US. I regard it as a great blessing in my life to have had the opportunity to serve here. At the news conference, Jos H. Gomez, the archbishop of Los Angeles, thanked the authorities for taking a suspect into custody. Fr OConnell was lauded for leadership at that time, particularly for his efforts to build trust between residents and police officers. How the biggest companies plan mass layoffs, Greece train crash: Rescuers to wrap up search operation, Thinking Anew Speaking the language of compassion. ". That support, Garcetti said, was something hell always cherish and miss. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has announced the funeral arrangements for the late Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell, who was murdered in his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. Anyone can read what you share. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. I'm still sort of stunned. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Clergy from throughout the Catholic Church attend the Funeral Mass for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. A priest kisses Bishop David OConnell during a public viewing at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. When he heard the news of OConnells murder, Cunnane said he was speechless and shocked.. Hutchings holds a B.A. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. (The) presence of Christ and deep prayer, the Rev. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. And its been a great privilege, a great blessing to be given these parishes all these years, to be pastor all these years. (Victor Alemn). Someone what was caring, forgiving, and merciful with the community and people.. OConnell was fatally shot at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. He had previously served as a pastor at several parishes in Los Angeles, including St. Michaels and St. Frances X. Cabrini. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), People receive communion during a Vigil Mass for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday evening, March 2, 2023. March 3, 2023 6:44 PM PT. Smiles and tears abounded on Friday as Los Angeles Countys Catholic faithful gathered for a moment of mournful reverence for OConnell, the auxiliary bishop for the LA archdiocese and the Roman Catholic Churchs spiritual leader for the San Gabriel Valley. You know, he was a beautiful witness, and I feel very blessed to have known him.. And it was always such a joy to see her, and a joy to see how happy she was that I was home.. As a pastor, OConnell also saw firsthand the effect of broken families on the community. Mourners broached the entrance of the cathedral, nestled in the heart of Downtown L.A., early on Friday to be part of the communion to honor OConnell. His story is worth sharing. "Your sudden departure has left us extremely sad," Pimentel said. "It's been the great joy of my life to be the pastor of these people, especially the ones who are suffering or in need or facing difficulty," O'Connell told Angelus News in 2015. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news. Bishop Dave, as he was known, was episcopal vicar for the archdioceses San Gabriel Pastoral Region since 2015, when Pope Francis named him an auxiliary bishop. Why are womens bodies under attack from autoimmune diseases? Ted Chen reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 21, On Saturday, Feb. 18, authorities found OConnell, 69, dead by gunshot wound at his Hacienda Heights home. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. He made frequent visits to Ireland and liked to stress his Cork connections whenever possible. A police chase is underway involving a possible shooting suspect. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. Man Arrested in Killing of Auxiliary Bishop Had Worked at His House, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/19/us/bishop-david-oconnell-shot-hacienda-heights.html. Southern California Immigration Task Force. Stranded Lake Arrowhead residents, including Michelle Calkins, are pleading for help on social media as the community continues to run out of food, medication, and deal with gas leak concerns. It was revealed in a press conference Monday that Medina is the husband of OConnells housekeeper, who remains unnamed. Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new details as they become available. O'Connell, who had been a priest and then a bishop during his 45 years with the church, was found dead in a home Sunday in the unincorporated neighborhood of There was an outpouring of grief among the communities in which he worked when the news emerged that he had been shot dead at his home in Hacienda Heights. The community mourns the loss of Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell, who was found shot dead in Hacienda Heights. He was fatally shot in his home on Saturday. David OConnell, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, leading a memorial service in 2020. The Sheriffs department has not offered further details on the circumstances of his death, which is under investigation. He had a gift for telling stories and had a delightful, playful sense of humor, Bishop Barron said, adding that Bishop OConnell had once performed at a comedy clubs open mic night. In a statement following O'Connell's death, Archbishop Jos H. Gomez described the 69-year-old O'Connell as a "peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant.". But despite his long list of accolades and accomplishments, OConnell was known as a low-key priest with a down-to-earth demeanor and an Irish brogue he never bothered to try hiding. He spoke to the soul. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), David OConnell, nephew of Bishop David OConnell, speaks at the Funeral Mass for his uncle at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), In our mission as Catholics is to be Christ-like to embody the image of our Lord and to do all the good work that (OConnell) did and thats someone in our lifetime that we witnessed do that, Reyes said. Father Robert Young, his friend from his secondary school days, remembered him as a very bright and capable student who was warm and sincere. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. Ron DeSantis presidential prospects, Taft football coach Jeff Kearin steps down in support of school faculty member, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, $31 million goes to San Fernando Valley light-rail line and to engage community, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, New crew from US, Russia and UAE arrives at space station but not without docking glitch, Ex-sheriffs deputy gets 100 hours of community service for shooting hoax, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information.