USA: 'Peacemaker' bishop shot dead in California

Bishop David O'Connell

The US Archdiocese of Los Angeles is mourning the late Bishop David O'Connell, who was shot and killed on Saturday, and recalls his life of service to the Church as a peacemaker and advocate for immigrants.

Bishop O'Connell, an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, was found dead due to a gunshot wound in the suburb of Hacienda Heights on Saturday afternoon.

His body was discovered around 1pm local time near St John Vianney Catholic Church, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In a statement on Sunday, the LA County Sheriff's Department announced detectives are investigating his death as a homicide.

No details related to a possible suspect or motive have yet been released.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles released a statement on Sunday morning after his death was determined to be a homicide. "We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this news," he said.

Earlier, in a statement on Saturday, the Archbishop had expressed his shock and sadness that "Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell has passed away unexpectedly. 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."

Archbishop Gomez also recalled 69-year-old Bishop O'Connell as a "good friend" whom he will miss greatly.

"As a priest and later a bishop here in Los Angeles for 45 years, Bishop Dave was a man of deep prayer who had a great love for Our Blessed Mother," said the Archbishop.

He encouraged everyone to pray for the late bishop and "for his family in Ireland."

"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," concluded Archbishop Gomez.

The late Bishop O'Connell was born in Cork, Ireland, on 16 August 1953. He studied theology at All Hallows College in Dublin, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on 10 June 1979.

Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles on 21 June 2015. Following his death, mourners held candles and prayed the Rosary near the site of his death.

The Archbishop of Los Angeles has released the following statement: "We learned early this morning from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office that they have determined that the death of Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell yesterday was a homicide. We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this news.

Let us continue to pray for Bishop Dave and his family. And let us pray for law enforcement officials as they continue their investigation into this terrible crime. We ask Our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede and be a mother for all of us in this moment of sadness and pain."

Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross said: "The news of the tragic death of Bishop David O'Connell in Los Angeles has sent shockwaves across his native Diocese of Cork and Ross.

On behalf of the people, priests and religious of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sympathies and prayerful support to the O'Connell family in Cork, to Archbishop José H Gomes and the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Since his ordination in 1979 Bishop David has served as a priest in Los Angeles but has always maintained his connection with family and friends here in Cork where has been a regular visitor.

We pray that the Lord will console Bishop David's many friends in Cork and throughout Ireland.

We will pray for Bishop David at Mass throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross in the coming days asking the Lord to comfort his family, his colleagues and all the bereaved.

Bishop David worked tirelessly for peace and harmony in communities; may he now rest in the peace of the Lord."