Three days of memorial services began on Wednesday for the Irish-born Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, David O’Connell, who was murdered in his Hacienda Heights home on 18 February.
Pope Francis and President Joe Biden commended the late bishop, known in his city as a “peacemaker”.
News of O’Connell’s murder and the subsequent arrest of his housekeeper’s husband in connection with the killing shocked Catholics across the nation.
Among those mourning the late bishop was Pope Francis, whose message was read at Wednesday’s memorial Mass at the Church of St John Vianney in Hacienda Heights, California.
The Archbishop of Los Angeles, José Gomez, was the main celebrant at a memorial Mass attended by O’Connell’s younger brother, who shared memories of growing up together in Glanmire, Co. Cork.
In a message from the Vatican read aloud by Gomez at the beginning of Mass, Pope Francis commended O’Connell for his efforts to uphold the sanctity of life and his profound concern for the poor.
The Pope sent his “heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness” to all the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles after the 69-year-old bishop’s “untimely and tragic death”.
Pope Francis remembered the bishop for his “profound concern for the poor, immigrants, and those in need, his efforts to uphold the sanctity and dignity of God’s gift of life, and his zeal for fostering solidarity, cooperation, and peace within the local community”.
“In commending the late bishop’s soul to the love and mercy of Christ the Good Shepherd, His Holiness prays that all who honour his memory will be confirmed in the resolve to reject the ways of violence and overcome evil with good,” said the message, signed by Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“To those gathered for the Mass of Christian burial and to all who mourn Bishop O’Connell’s loss in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father cordially imparts his blessing as a pledge of peace and consolation in the Lord.”
O’Connell’s younger brother, Kieran O’Connell, thanked the local Catholic community for the outpouring of support and said that his brother had a strong belief in the power of prayer.
“I know he has been a source of solace for myself and my family as well,” he said.
“As my older brother, he was an immense support to me during the passing of our parents and also my brothers and sister. Dave got us through these tough times.
“He always said it was God’s plan and thanked God for their wonderful lives,” Mr O’Connell said.
Reflecting on his brother’s ordination, Mr O’Connell said: “It was the proudest moment for our family and for the whole community when he said his first Mass in our local parish church.”
O’Connell noted the many “great memories” he had of visiting his brother in Los Angeles and the active role that the bishop played in the raising of his children.
“He was present at every milestone in our lives, baptism, holy communion, graduation, weddings,” he said. “We forever cherish those memories.”
“Just thank you most sincerely for taking care of Dave for these 45 years and know that he was happiest here among his people,” he said, fighting back tears.
Mgr Timothy Dyer, pastor of St Patrick’s Church in Los Angeles, gave the homily. He recalled Archbishop Gomez’s presence at the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department press conference on 22 February following the arrest of O’Connell’s alleged murderer, Carlos Medina.
The archbishop had fought back tears as he struggled to get through his brief comments during that press conference.
“Before we begin to reflect on the scripture readings, I would like to think that I represent each of you when I say to the archbishop that on the day he spoke in the news conference with the officials from the city and the state and the county around him, his inability to put into words his feelings, was the best way to speak for all of us,” Mgr Dyer said.
He added that the Catholic community has been “overwhelmed” at the “pouring out of praise and gratitude” and sympathy from both Catholic and secular communities for O’Connell.
“If ever there was a man of prayer that I’ve known it was Dave,” Mgr Dyer said.
O’Connell would often begin meetings with the prayer method of lectio divina, he said, joking that “he didn’t worry about how much time it took”.
Bishop O’Connell was passionate about standing up for immigrants, standing against racism, and standing up for the unborn and women, Mgr Dyer said. “You could not pigeonhole him.”
“If you wanted to put him up on your banner and let him be your patron for your particular cause, you could only do it if you embraced all of the things that he embraced, and all of the places he fished because it was an ethic of life from beginning to end,” he said.
Dyer’s recommendation that “it would be wise” for the seminary to hold an annual seminar to study O’Connell’s spirituality and ministry, was received with applause from those gathered in the church.
Mgr Dyer said that O’Connell had a “great devotion to Mary” that was “reflected in his respect and his admiration for women in religious life”.
Speaking about the clergy sex abuse crisis, Mgr Dyer said that O’Connell would tell his fellow priests: “Wear it like a hair shirt. Let it irritate you so that it will never happen again.”
Becoming a bishop was a cross rather than a promotion for O’Connell, he said, adding that “it almost broke his heart”.
O’Connell did not want to leave the flock that he pastored. “We need to take care of our bishops. It is not an easy life,” Mgr Dyer said.
Fighting back tears, he reflected on the last moments of O’Connell’s life.
“When the bullets were being fired, Christ was looking Dave right in the eyes, and he said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You may lay down the nets now Dave. I’ve prepared a place for you in the Father’s house.’”
Mgr Dyer continued: “And there’s someone there who’s waiting too, the one you’ve always called the Blessed Mother, as well as your own mother, waiting to fold you in her arms. And Dave, you don’t have to be a bishop anymore.
“But in front of your dwelling place, there’s a great big lake. And we have a lot of fishing to do on behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles still,” he said.
On Tuesday, in response to a question from EWTN’s correspondent Owen Jensen, the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that “the president and the first lady join Archbishop Gomez, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the entire Catholic community in the mourning of Bishop David O’Connell”.
“We also express our sympathy and prayers for the family and friends of the bishop, who will certainly remember his legacy of service to those on the margins of society. And so, again, we offer up our condolences to the community.”
There was a public viewing on Thursday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, followed by a vigil Mass. The funeral Mass takes place on Friday.