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Watch: Mass For Beloved LA Catholic Bishop David O’Connell, Shot And Killed Last Month
Mourners in line at the public viewing for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on March 2, 2023.
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Brian Feinzimer
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iStock
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Several memorials are being held for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, who was shot to death in his home, including a funeral and other celebrations of his life. You can watch them here.
March 1: San Gabriel pastoral region memorial Mass
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Location: 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road, Hacienda Heights
Time: 7 p.m. — If the above live video doesn't work for you, you can watch the livestream at Bishop David G. Connell | LA Catholics
March 2: Public viewing and vigil Mass
- If the above live video doesn't work for you, you can watch the livestream at Bishop David G. Connell | LA Catholics and on the OLA Cathedral YouTube Channel
Location: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Address: 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles
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Public viewing
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Vigil Mass
Time: 7 p.m.
March 3: Funeral Mass
- If the above live video doesn't work for you, you can watch the livestream at Bishop David G. Connell | LA Catholics and on the OLA Cathedral YouTube Channel
Location: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Address: 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles
Time: 11 a.m.
About O'Connell
Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese worked with undocumented and unaccompanied minors to help them find homes and attend school in LA.
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Courtesy Linda Dakin-Grimm
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O'Connell, an Irish immigrant, served the L.A. Archdiocese for four decades, and was known for his work on behalf of fellow immigrants. He'd been named an auxiliary bishop by Pope Francis in 2015, and in that role helped Archbishop José H. Gómes with the business of the massive diocese.
He was found shot to death at his church-owned home in Hacienda Heights on Saturday after failing to show up for a meeting.
Authorities this week charged Carlos Medina with O'Connell's murder. Medina is the husband of O'Connell's housekeeper. An investigation into the the motive remains ongoing.
Where O'Connell served in L.A.
Locally he served as a priest at:
- St. Raymond in Downey
- St. Maria Goretti in Long Beach
- St. Hillary in Pico Rivera
- St. Frances X. Cabrini in L.A.
- Ascension Catholic Church in L.A.
- St. Eugene in L.A.
- St. Michael in L.A.
Reflections by those who remember him
Sisters greet mourners at the public viewing for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on March 2, 2023.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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"He was a healer. He would bring gangs together and talk instead of fighting. And because he was an immigrant himself, this was his ministry here in LA." - James Ponnet
"It was a great loss, but we also gained a saint. He always worked for peace, unity. He was a very giving person that never kept anything for himself." - Sister Maria de Jesus
Mourners in line at the public viewing for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on March 2, 2023.
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Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer
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"I think he was a source of hope, and the source of peace for the community, hope in the troubled world. And he just would come. He didn't resolve the problems. But he brought light in into the midst of the chaos." - Dayrin Perez
"I think my favorite memory was when he wedded my best friend. That was actually the last time I saw him. And I just remember it feeling so loving, especially because he has always been [with] us since we were younger." - Ilani Campos
"We were out at dinner for a fundraising event. And we all found out the news right then and there. It was very tragic. Some of my co-workers burst out into tears. And I may not have known the man, but just to see the impact that he had on everyone and the people around him and in his community, you can see that it was a really, really big traumatic event." - Errol Williams
Mourners pray at the casket during the public viewing for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on March 2, 2023.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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LAist Associate Editor Mike Roe also contributed to this story.
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