Los Angeles Archbishop Jos H. Gomez presided over the Mass that not only filled the cathedral pews but had hundreds more standing in the aisles, ambulatories and seated on the outside plaza watching a livestream presentation. At about 6 a.m., other people on the property, which contains three units, evacuated through a chain-link fence at the back of the property. He was meek. 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. On the cover: Bishop David G. O'Connell of Los Angeles at his installation Mass as auxiliary bishop at the Chapel of the Annunciation in San Gabriel in November 2015. Amos Brown, vice chair of Californias reparations task force, calls for action, Copyright 2023, Religion News Service. That was the year I began serving as the editor in chief of The Tidings, the Los Angeles. this helps us promote a safe and accountable online community, and allows us to update you when other commenters reply to your posts. A 61-year-old man who prosecutors said has admitted that he killed Bishop David G. O'Connell was charged Wednesday with one count of murder in the shooting death of the much lauded religious. Tweet this Bishop O'Connell's body was. Sarah Szes art, now on display at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, prompts me to reflect on how Gods loving presence hums in the background of our lives. He was also a good friend, and I will miss him greatly, continued Archbishop Gomez, who asked for prayers for the bishop and his family in Ireland. Others will never forget its power. We ask our visitors to confirm their email to keep your account secure and make sure you're able to receive email from us. Authorities stated that he claimed he was owed money. The shooting death of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell Saturday is being investigated as a homicide, authorities have confirmed. You can also manage your account details and your print subscription after logging in. Let us continue to pray for Bishop Dave and his family. But he loved being a priest because he believed, quite simply but very deeply, that through the teachings of Jesus Christ, we would find salvation. this helps us promote a safe and accountable online community, and allows us to update you when other commenters reply to your posts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, by James Martin, S.J. He served at several parishes in South Los Angeles. So sad. He visited immigrants in detention and inmates in prison. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, California bar suspends 1,600 attorneys for violating rules set up after Tom Girardi allegedly stole millions, I searched hell on Earth for a story. He spoke it into them., [To] all who mourn Bishop OConnells loss in the sure hope of the Resurrection, the Holy Father cordially imparts his blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord., Msgr. Sure, youre still a Catholic at heart.. Not just in heaven, but right here in Los Angeles, where people in power needed to follow Christs directive to treat every person as we would be treated ourselves. Around 7 p.m. that same day, the tipster called police to report Medina's behavior and said Medina had left Los Angeles County, possibly to Central California, according to the sheriff. Universities follow the money, How to find parking for the Taylor Swift Eras concerts at SoFi Stadium, Julie and Todd Chrisleys nightmare prison conditions from no air conditioning to rattlesnakes, kids say, What to know about SoFi Stadium before going to the Taylor Swift Eras concert, Taylor Swift is about to boost L.A.s economy. I dont know many people who have lived a life of loving service without that love at some point becoming bitter. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. All he wanted to do was make things easier for everyone else, and never asked for a single thing in return. Bishop OConnell was active in promoting peace and reconciliation in his neighborhood following riots in 1992 stemming from the police beating of Rodney King. But I did know David OConnell. 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Known fondly as "Bishop Dave," O'Connell was the "episcopal vicar for the archdiocese's San Gabriel Pastoral Region since 2015, when Pope Francis named him an auxiliary bishop," Angelus. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). And how he was hilarious. Thats how we can change South L.A. is to be out there and work with the people in the neighborhoods.. He thought restricting the priesthood to celibate males was ridiculous; women should be ordained and the clergy should be allowed to marry. Mary McNamara is a culture columnist and critic for the Los Angeles Times. He has friends young and old, far and wide he has friends up and down the social scale, at ease in the corridors of power and with the powerless., In calling him a man gripped by grace, Msgr. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Those who knew him testify that he seemed most at ease with the people he spent all those years with in south LA. Please visit ourmembership pageto learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation. We ask readers to log in so that we can recognize you as a registered user and give you unrestricted access to our website. "He's not your average suspect, he looks like your average grandpa," said Luis Lopez. If we decide to open comments on this article, we will email you to let you know. Deputies responded to the shooting, and when they arrived at the scene, they discovered O'Connell with a gunshot wound to the chest. Funny thing about Bishop Dave. A great man is now in Heaven. Neighbor Luis Lopez said he believes the individual's wife worked for the bishop for about a decade. Industry sheriff's deputies were responding to a medical emergency call when they found OConnell, who appeared to have been shot in the upper torso. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Cell Ausaille and Auxiliary Bishop in 2015. Cunnane, the pastor of St. Cornelius Church in Long Beach. According to a neighbor at the Kenwood Avenue residence in Torrance, authorities arrived at the house where the person of interest lives with his wife and a roommate at about 11 p.m. Sunday. : We need to be both Mary and Martha, Sarah Szes art is not religiousbut it reminds me of Gods nearness, Remembering a priest who put Pope Francis and the Good Samaritans economics into action. I remember being delighted on the few occasions that Bishop Dave visited me in my office. And then there is regret. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. In 2014, then-Father David OConnell was one of the first priests I met when I moved to Los Angeles. (The other two were bishops Robert Barron and Joseph Brennan, both of whom now lead their own dioceses.). Bishop O'Connell, a native of Ireland who spent most of his four decades as a priest ministering in the inner city of Los Angeles, died Feb. 18, 2023, at age 69. Several streamed into the Cathedral Plaza as the two-hour Mass went on, using umbrellas as shade, clutching their young children, simply wanting to be present. Copyright 2023 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Before you can comment, you need to update your profile to include your first and last name, as required in our. Luna said the bishop was found in his bedroom with "at least one. 1 talking about this. Let those close to you know that you love them and that you are proud of them.. This city has lost one of its most beautiful angels.". A handyman whose wife worked as the bishop's. In the end, my heart opened all by itself. A priest and bishop are consecrated as in persona Christi meaning they take His Place in our life. David OConnell, a nephew from Ireland who shared a name with his uncle, said in a reflection at the end of Mass that for me and my family and everyone listening here, we all have an opportunity to pick up where he left off and carry on the example that he set. Not that he was particularly holy. May his family in Ireland be comforted from this terrible loss. May St. Patrick welcome him into the company of the Holy Family in Heaven with all the Irish Saints, and all his favorite Saints. Luna said Monday that a deacon had gone looking for O'Connell after he missed a scheduled meeting. I later understood that this was not a priest that served Beverly Hills. And I was blessed to have David. "This incident is being handled as a murder. Please visit ourmembership pageto learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation. Will popes Council of Cardinals 2.0 finally live up to its promise? OConnell was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1953 and was named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Pope Francis in 2015, according to the Los Angeles Archdiocese. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Archbishop Jos H. Gomez presided over the Mass that not only filled the cathedral pews but had hundreds more standing in the aisles, ambulatories and seated on the outside plaza. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The story of the good Samaritan is a better place to start. Review: Barbie is a film by women, about women, for women. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. When he returned home, he and other faith leaders hosted meetings with local residents and law enforcement. Long-Garca is a senior editor at America. About the interactions I had with him. if you are trying to comment, you must log in or set up a new account. (Sarah Reingewirtz / MediaNews Group / Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images). As far as I know, Bishop Dave did not write any lengthy reflections or pen in-depth theological treatises. O'Connell, 69, was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Pope Francis in 2015. I watched him console the grieving, counsel the struggling, laugh with the children, rail against the hopelessness that took the lives of so many under his care. Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O'Connell, 69, was found dead in the room of a home on the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue around 1 p.m. Saturday, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt.. 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 statement Feb. 18. Cunnane said Bishop OConnell was seized by the Lord, like Jeremiah (who) said: Lord, you seduced me, and I let myself be seduced; you were stronger and you triumphed., A mind and a wit always quick and sharp, but sometimes in earlier days, with an edge, by grace became levity and joyous humor, and (an) ability to affirm, the priest added. They stand in the person of Christ Himself! Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address. Others will never forget its power. He was, as many have said in the shocking vacuum after his death, a peacemaker, who wanted not just to help immigrants, the poor, the hungry and those beset by violence and crime, but to fix the systems that create the problems. I know we all will, the archbishop said. 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. O'Connell served the Los Angeles area for more than 45 years. And then there is regret. You can join the conversation about this article with us in social media onTwitter or Facebook, or in oneof ourFacebook discussion groups for various topics. I know we all will," Gomez continued.
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