On Saturday, February 18, Bishop David O’Connell of Los Angeles was found dead in his bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. A suspect has been charged with the murder of Bishop O’Connell.
O’Connell, who earned the title of bishop in 2015, was a “peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant,” Archbishop José H. Gómez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement Sunday.
“Every day he wanted to show compassion to the poor, to the homeless, to the immigrant, and to all those living on society’s margins,” Gómez said. “He was a good priest, and a good bishop, and a man of peace.”
Several expressed shock and sadness at the news of Bishop O’Connell’s passing, including Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota, who was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles with O’Connell in 2015.
“From the moment I met him, I was struck by his goodness, kindness, prayerfulness, and simplicity of heart,” Barron tweeted.
“He dedicated his priesthood to serving the poor. I can honestly say that he was one of the most Christ-like men I’ve known. May he rest in peace.