Mr OConnell thanked all those who had assisted in the police investigation following the murder of his uncle. 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. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. His work as a community leader came to the fore again during the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020 when he carried the Blessed Sacrament to a high summit in the San Gabriel valley to pray for the community below. He praised Bishop OConnell as a good friend of Los Angeles who had served the city for more than 40 years. 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 He thanked the Bishops brother, Kieran, his sister-in-law Paula, his nieces and nephews Ciara, Orla, David, Aoisha, Chloe and Brian for giving Los Angeles the blessing of having David OConnell among them rather than residing in his native Cork. 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 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. Over the years, O'Connell was a pastor at a number of parishes in Los Angeles and several nearby communities. They were always words of affirmation. Many US and Hispanic friends commented approvingly on his fluent Spanish spoken in a strong Irish accent, despite the years abroad. He organised retreats to help men become better parents and partners, and believed in the power of parish communities and schools to transform peoples lives. He just lifted everybody up.. But now the Cork man that he is has left without saying goodbye. Ramon Reyes, from Incarnation Catholic Church in Glendale, echoed another theme through the week that OConnell was a model of service for a generation. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. O'Connell In his role as episcopal vicar for the archdioceses San Gabriel Pastoral Region, it fell to OConnell to accompany the parish community of Mission San Gabriel, the oldest Catholic outpost in the archdiocese, when it was almost completely destroyed in an. It was that spirit, Mahony said, that moved OConnell in inspired ways, from his now well-known efforts as a peacemaker during the 1992 riots in L.A. to his advocacy of immigrants to connecting with generations of young Catholics and priests. I am very sad this afternoon to report that our beloved Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell has passed away unexpectedly, said Archbishop Jos H. Gomez of Los Angeles in a, soon after receiving word of his death. (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. On Friday, an 11 a.m. funeral service, also at the Cathedral, is expected to fill the massive sanctuary, where afterward, OConnell will be interred in the Cathedrals Mausoleum in a private service, officials said Thursday. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Archbishop Jos Gomez holds 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. But now for me and my family and for everyone who is listening here today there comes an opportunity. The three formal days of mourning for OConnell, while rare, seemed appropriate given his decades of shepherding his flock. Maybe it was the Irish brogue, or the dog he had adopted, or the fact that he saw prayer as activism and activism as prayer, she wrote after his death. And, most importantly, it put words to the grief OConnells death has caused his loved ones. Ted Chen reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 21, 2023. Bishop OConnell said in a July 2015 interview with Angelus, the publication of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, that being a pastor in South Central Los Angeles had been the great joy of my life., Its been a great privilege, a great blessing to be given these parishes all these years, to be pastor all these years, he said. It is a privilege to be part of peoples lives, especially in their time of suffering and need. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. Hundreds of parishioners, members of the clergy from around the L.A. area, and OConnells family packed inside the church on Wednesday night, March 1, to reflect on the priests story. May Our Lady of Guadalupe wrap him in the mantle of her love, and may the angels lead him into paradise, and may he rest in peace, said the archbishop. David Michael O'Connell, 64, passed away on September 25, 2017 after a battle with cancer. Irish-born Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, David OConnell, who was shot dead last month was so beloved in the community that his funeral remembrances took place over three days culminating in his interment in a crypt in a Cathedral on Friday. As will the thousands of others whom OConnell had comforted. 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 from a nearby lookout. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), The Funeral Mass begins for Bishop David OConnell at Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA Friday, March 3, 2023. In response to the report that O'Connell was killed, Los Angeles Archbishop Jos H. Gomez said, "We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this 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, The riots broke out during Father OConnells first tour at St. Frances X. Cabrini Church (1988-1998). He became Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2015. OConnell played a key role in sponsoring the enrollment of several young immigrants in Catholic schools. A Catholic bishop who church leaders remembered as a "peacemaker" was found dead of a gunshot wound on Saturday. He made frequent visits to Ireland and liked to stress his Cork connections whenever possible. O'Connell was found shot just before 1 p.m. Saturday at his home in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue, near Turnbull Canyon Road. 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, . 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. He was loved. We have the opportunity to pick up where he left off and to carry the example that he set., He urged all those who attended the Mass to help those you can help.. He said that his friend, who he first met when they studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin in 1971, was as at ease with the movers and the shakers and also with the moved and the shaken. 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. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. 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. The Rev. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. Los Angeles Sheriffs Department Sheriff Robert Luna said at that press conference that Medina had done work at the bishops residence as well. Michael David OConnell, Sr., 73 of Allegan, Michigan, passed away early Friday morning, October 1, 2021 at Holland Hospital. 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. It is a shock and I have no words to express my sadness.. Heres what we know, Soccer fanatics celebrate newly renamed BMO Stadium in Exposition Park, Bishop Dave remembered for his special love for the poor, as LA County Catholics begin three days of goodbyes, Thousands gather at LA cathedral to mourn Bishop David OConnell on Day 2 of trio of funeral services, New bishop for San Gabriel region ready to serve larger flock, Man admits to killing bishop in Hacienda Heights, DA says, and is charged with murder, Young Catholics remember Bishop David OConnell as a father figure with a shepherd heart, Disneyland quietly removes controversial lyric from new parade soundtrack, Fannie Mae halts financing for 6,102 condos in Laguna Woods, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 2 arrested in Anaheim on suspicion of possessing $463,000 in stolen merchandise, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Lake Forest woman filed restraining order against daughter 8 years before being killed in their home, Lake Forest man convicted of killing stepmom with pickaxe, OC Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, March 5, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, 5 things I cant wait to eat in Disneylands new Toontown and 4 Ill definitely skip, 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. Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell was remembered as a man gripped by grace and at ease with movers and shakers and also with the moved and shaken as nearly 5,000 attended a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Friday morning. Those numbers alone testify to the legacy of a religious leader who was a friend to all who was a good man whose life was well-lived. He became a priest there in 1953. In contrast to recent days, often taken up with spoken words at prayers services and masses that mourned the pastor, the viewing was a quiet event, focused on the singular image of the bishops casket amid the vast open interior space of the Cathedral. (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. In his statement, Archbishop Gomez said OConnell will be remembered as a man of deep prayer who had a great love for our Blessed Mother.. I was better for having known David OConnell. There, OConnell ministered to a community afflicted by gang violence, poverty, broken families, as well as tensions between locals and members of the Los Angeles Police Department and the LA Sheriffs Department. (Victor Alemn), I think we have to bring the joy of the Gospels that Pope Francis talks about reaching out to each other and serving each other, he said. In a Wednesday press conference, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascn said that Carlos Medina of Torrance, the suspect in custody, has admitted to murdering the bishop. 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. I am so sorry that you will not be here for all the things that are to come in our lives at least not in person.. Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new details as they become available. He was a friend of souls. Deputies found the bishop in bed with at least one gunshot wound to the upper body, Sheriff Luna said. 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. David O'Connell Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information 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. (Photo by Dean Musgrove), Flowers at the entrance for the viewing for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in Downtown Los Angeles, March 2, 2023. OConnell Today at 11am local time the Cathedral, which holds three thousand people, was full for his requiem Mass. David O'Connell: Funeral services announced for slain LA Bishop He came home days later to find widespread destruction in much of his parishs territory. 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. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Archbishop Jose Gomez delivers 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), Priests 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. LA Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell dies unexpectedly at 69 A secret place that you and I all have, as well that is where our spirit, our soul, our heart our mind converge with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.. David OConnell ", Immigration attorney Linda Dakin-Grimm said O'Connell was "there for every child and family I have represented. 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. (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. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. On Saturday, Feb. 18, authorities found OConnell, 69, dead by gunshot wound at his Hacienda Heights home. Archbishop Jose H Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrated the Mass. This man, this bishop, made a huge difference in our community, Sheriff Luna said. 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. You are a good man, Man you are on fire, to quote just a few.. 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. Friendship was something he was good at. Funeral Services Set for Slain Bishop David O'Connell (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.