With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
iStock
)
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
Sponsored message
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
Sponsored message
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.
(
Courtesy Linda Dakin-Grimm
)
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.
Sponsored message
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.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
LAist
)
"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.
(
Brian Feinzimer/Brian Feinzimer
)
Sponsored message
"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.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
LAist
)
LAist Associate Editor Mike Roe also contributed to this story.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
