‘Peacemaker’ Bishop David O’Connell killed at LA home

By Pablo Kay OSV News

During his seven years as auxiliary bishop in Los Angeles, Bishop David G. O Connell made many friends and a strong impression among his brother bishops.

The native of County Cork, Ireland, was one of three priests named auxiliary bishops for Los Angeles by Pope Francis in July 2015. The pope was known to refer privately to the future bishops then-Father O Connell, then-Father Robert E. Barron, a Chicago-born media evangelist, and then-Monsignor Joseph V. Brennan, an LA priest, as Archbishop Gomez ’ s triplets. ”

In his often emotional remarks about Bishop O ’ Connell in the days since Bishop O Connell ’s Feb. 18 murder, LA Archbishop José H. Gomez has described him as “ a man who loved Jesus Christ and gave his whole life to following Jesus, to being his friend, and to helping others to find Jesus. ”

And in interviews with Angelus , the archdiocesan news outlet, bishops from around the country and even across the pond in

England expressed admiration for Bishop O ’ Connell ’ s energetic faith, his ability to work with all types of people, and his kindness.

If you had to write a play about his life, it would be ‘A Man for All Seasons, ’ ” said Bishop Brennan, who left LA in 2019 to lead the Diocese of Fresno, Calif. “ He was 'all things to people, ’ as

St. Paul described his mission. ”

Bishops O ’ Connell and Brennan were ordained priests for the Los Angeles Archdiocese a year apart in 1979 and 1980.

“ I remember thinking, here ’ s this great Irish guy, hope he does well, ” said Bishop Brennan, who also is of Irish descent. Little did I know he was already working circles around us native guys, just in terms of totally immersing himself in the community.

Bishop Brennan said that Bishop O ’ Connell had a special way of “ making everyone feel that he was a kindred spirit to them, from community organizers to law enforcement officials.

“

And he was, ” Bishop Brennan added. But Dave was never a chameleon. He was never pretending to be any of these things. He did it because he was genuinely interested in everyone, wanting to love everyone.

Bishop Barron, who now heads the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, said he was “ absolutely devastated by the news of Bishop O ’ Connell ’ s death.

“ He was a man of enormous kindness, dedication, good humor, and Gospel simplicity, Bishop Barron told Angelus “ I always came away from meetings with him feeling more alive, more confirmed in my faith. I will miss him tremendously.

Bishop O ’ Connell served in the archdiocese for all of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony ’ s 25 years as archbishop of Los Angeles.