Watch: Mass For Beloved LA Catholic Bishop David O’Connell, Shot And Killed Last Month

By Jessica P. Ogilvie

Updated Mar 2, 2023 5:59 PM

Published Feb 24, 2023 10:28 AM

Mourners gather around a display of white flowers and a portrait of Bishop David O'Connell, who is white, balding, and wears a white beard. He is smiling and wearing a red tunic with broad white cuffs and a large cross hanging from a gold chain around his neck.

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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

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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

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

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Time: 11 a.m.

About O'Connell

A man in all black with gray hair and beard sits with three young children in plaid shirts.

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.

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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

Two nuns dressed all in white greet people outside the tan walls of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. One has glasses and a blue surgical mask pushed down below her chin to show her smile, and she is reaching out to shake the hand of a person who is obscured in shadow. A big bouquet of red and white flowers is in the background against the wall.

"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

The interior of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. A great hall with a ceiling at least 40-50 feet above the heads of the people assembled below, with angular concrete walls. Murals depicting religious figures in muted tones hang from the walls. Rows of empty wooden pews face a terraced stage, and to the side of the stage are more pews. People dressed in dark colors are lined up in the aisle between the pews, facing the stage. Clergy in white robes or cloaks wait in front of the stage.

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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 stand to the left of a red velvet rope, on the other side of which is a lacquered wood casket surrounded by pallbearers, who are dressed in black suits with dark green sashes, black berets, and white gloves.

LAist Associate Editor Mike Roe also contributed to this story.