Monsignor Cunnane recalled his weekly Thursday night meetings for dinner with Bishop OConnell. Sheriff Luna said the motive remained under investigation. But now for me and my family and for everyone who is listening here today there comes an opportunity. I knew it was going to be a big turnout because he touched and impacted so many lives.. Mayors Eric Garcetti and James Hahn, and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. The first day of the funeral services this week was a memorial Mass at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights, a parish that OConnell would frequently attend. That inspired him to organize. When you have found an obituary of interest, you have the option of upgrading that obituary with more recent and relevant content unless the obituary is already "And it's been a great privilege, a great blessing to be given these parishes all these years, to be pastor all these years. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. Where are Catholics allowed to eat corned beef on St. Patricks Day this Lent? (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Clergy arrive 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. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. And he was faithful to me all the time I was in the hospital every day. And its been a great privilege, a great blessing to be given these parishes all these years, to be pastor all these years. Its something weve heard to this point, and that is something the detectives will go out and validate and see if its true or not.. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell, a native of Ireland who spent most of his four decades as a priest ministering in L.A.'s inner city, was found dead of a gunshot wound Feb. 18. He became Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2015. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. He said that Mr. Medina had not been formally charged and that investigators were continuing to examine evidence, including two firearms seized from Mr. Medinas home, where he was arrested after a standoff. Leave a sympathy message to the family in This level of trust has helped us over many different crises over the last almost 30 years to be able to talk things through.. Fr OConnell was lauded for leadership at that time, particularly for his efforts to build trust between residents and police officers. He came home days later to find widespread destruction in much of his parishs territory. 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. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. O'Connell was born in County Cork, Ireland, and ordained in the Los Angeles Archdiocese in 1979, the diocesan news site Angelus News reported. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former LA mayor Eric Garcetti attends the Funeral Mass for Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA, Friday, March 3, 2023. 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I was always impressed with Father Daves street smarts, compassion, and willingness to challenge people in power around a variety of issues, including immigrant rights, housing justice, racism, and public safety, Prof Dreier wrote in a tribute after his death. David OConnell was originally from Brooklodge, near Glanmire, Co Cork, and was one of five children born to David and Joan OConnell. Carlos Medina, 61, was arrested around 8:15 a.m. Monday following an hours-long standoff at his home in the 2400 block of Kenwood Avenue in Torrance. Beverly - David R. O'Connell, 58, of Beverly, died on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Beverly Hospital. 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. Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new details as they become available. David OConnell, the Bishops nephew, expressed the same reverence for his uncle. [Church pays tributes to murdered Cork-born Bishop David OConnell], [World Meeting of Families accused of blacklisting liberal Catholic group]. At ease in the corridors of power and with the powerless. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. 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. He said the housekeeper was fully cooperating with detectives. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. He was a father figure for a lot of us, he said. Cunnane, who is from Sligo, Ireland, closed his homily with an apt saying from his and OConnells shared homeland. ". OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. Friendship was something he was good at. We are heartbroken.. Born: July 16th, 1953 Died: February 18th, 2023 Bishop David OConnell who has died, aged 69, was originally from Cork but spent his Catholic ministry in Los Angeles The 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. It is a privilege to be part of peoples lives, especially in their time of suffering and need, he said, on learning he was to be elevated to auxiliary bishop in 2015. Carlos Medina is the husband of the Bishops housekeeper. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. David G. OConnell, a Roman Catholic bishop, was shot in his home in Hacienda Heights, Calif., on Saturday. It was solemn yet emotionally riotous. And of course in Ireland. He came home days later to find widespread destruction in much of his parishs territory. We are all heartbroken. Reyes said that the large number of people attending the viewing on Thursday showed how many lives OConnell impacted. Apu (Victor Alemn). The Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr Fintan Gavin, said Bishop OConnells tragic death had sent shockwaves across the diocese. 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. 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. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. Ted Chen reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 21, He just lifted everybody up.. Heartfelt tributes were paid to the 69-year-old native of Glanmire, Co Cork who was ordained as a priest in 1979. 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. He said that they always joked about which was the better county his native Sligo or the Bishops beloved Co Cork. Bishop OConnell cared deeply for victims of social and racial injustice and spent most of his priesthood in South Central Los Angeles, Bishop Barron said. I can honestly say that he was one of the most Christ-like men Ive known.. Apart from aiding neighborhood recovery efforts, OConnell pushed to restore trust between the inner-city residents and law enforcement. The suspect in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. 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. The grief will scar. The people have touched my heart the way they are sincere," he added. O'Connell was a native of Ireland and had been a priest and later a bishop in Los Angeles for 45 years. Voters will soon get a say, Auxiliary Bishop David OConnell during a, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. 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 Heights. His nephew, also called David OConnell, said the late Bishop was the rock of his family who liked to be a comedian but thankfully had a day job that was going a bit better for him. From the smallest family to the biggest organizations he was always there, he said. Theres a young lady that I still keep in touch with she has asylum now, shes getting straight As in school, and her sister is in the Navy.. Luna said two firearms were recovered at Medina's home, and they were being tested to determine if either weapon was involved in the Saturday shooting. Those emotions were on display once again on Thursday, as Cardinal Roger Mahony wept as he embraced OConnells casket in prayer as he ended his homily. Pope Francis named O'Connell an auxiliary bishop in 2015. He was a friend of souls. And now Cork man that he is has left without saying goodbye. He studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin and was ordained in 1979, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said. 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.. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). OConnells funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 3, at the same Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 11 a.m. local time. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Archbishop Jose Gomez places a bible on the casket of Bishop David OConnell at Funeral Mass held 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. Around 11 a.m., the mourners stood as dozens of church leaders proceeded to the cathedrals altar. OConnell, 69, was born in County Cork, in the south of the Republic of Ireland. 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. Its currently unclear what the motive for the killing was. Im not standing here in front of you telling you its a dispute over money yet, Sheriff Luna said. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Some of the hundreds who waited in line early morning, enter the cathedral for the viewing of Bishop David OConnell at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, in Downtown Los Angeles, March 2, 2023. 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. OConnell was at the scene hours after the early morning fire, rosary in hand, to grieve and pray with shocked parishioners. 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. (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. Born December 17, 1947 in Allegan, Michigan, he was the son of the late James Joseph and Amelia (Hinkle) OConnell and the husband of his only true love, Donna Jean (Stratton) OConnell. He was the loving husband to Lynnette (Strople) O'Connell with 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. (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. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. Thousands gather at LA cathedral to mourn, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Thousands gather at LA cathedral to mourn Bishop David OConnell on Day 2 of trio of funeral services, Catholics say final farewell to their friend, Bishop David OConnell, Bishop Dave remembered for his special love for the poor, as LA County Catholics begin three days of goodbyes, OCs Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Catholics mourn, remember Bishop David OConnell at annual education conference, Religion events in the San Fernando Valley area, Feb. 25-March 4, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, 7 house fires prompt fears about gas meters buried in snow. The people have touched my heart the way they are sincere.. 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.". Killings were way down in south Los Angeles. As a pastor, OConnell also saw firsthand the effect of broken families on the community. (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. He added that he looks forward to returning to California from Rome to follow in ODonnells footsteps and mentor others into the faith. 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 was the loving husband to Lynnette (Strople) O'Connell with whom he (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. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Seminarian Vincent DeVetis, 20, carries the cross for during 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 in the shooting, 61-year-old Carlos Medina, has been charged with the murder. 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. The funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 3, also at the cathedral. Mourners had waited in long lines that stretched outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA over a four-hour period on Thursday to pay their respects to Bishop OConnell as he lay in repose in an open casket. "[M]ay you rest in peace Bishop O'Connell. With other religious leaders, he brought police officers to meetings in peoples homes in an effort to improve relations. OConnell was found shot at his Hacienda Heights home on February 18. It was as if the city where OConnell had dedicated much of his life wanted to provide a glimmer for him as a final send off. Thousands more watched from the cathedrals plaza. OConnell was shot and killed at his Hacienda Heights home on Feb. 18. The Ballingeary native was at home on holidays in Cork at the time. 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. I'm still sort of stunned. (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. 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 And it was always such a joy to see her, and a joy to see how happy she was that I was home.. Bishop OConnell once said that being a pastor was the greatest joy of his life. Make sure that those who are close to you know that you love them and are proud of them., [Bishop David OConnell obituary: Progressive cleric from Cork who spent his life in Los Angeles]. He helped so many, many unaccompanied minors and families with immigration, Jeff Hamilton, also a member of that task force, said in an interview after the service. 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. "It is a shock and I have no words to express my sadness," Gomez said. 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., Archbishop of Los Angeles Jos Gmez described Bishop OConnell as a man of peace. He worked to restore trust between law enforcement and residents by bringing the two together in peoples homes for dialogue. 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 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 Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Archbishop Gomez walks 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. It was the second day of a trio of memorial services dedicated to the beloved San Gabriel Valley bishop, who was found shot to death Feb. 18 in his Hacienda Heights home. 270 Main Street Watertown, MA DAVID O'CONNELL OBITUARY O'CONNELL, David Michael Of Watertown, March 31, 2020. Pope Francis named him an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2015. The Rev. It brought a lot of peace to come today and say goodbye, she said. OConnell would later tell how he was, in Washington, D.C., testifying before a panel on Capitol Hill. ", Immigration attorney Linda Dakin-Grimm said O'Connell was "there for every child and family I have represented. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was killed over the weekend. 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 arson attack in July 2020. He and other local faith leaders helped organize meetings with police officers in peoples homes and provide opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation.