Arrested in connection with the murder of a popular Catholic bishop
Authorities say a suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Catholic Bishop David O’Connell of Los Angeles.
O’Connell was shot and killed at his home on Saturday. Police say the suspect, 65-year-old Carlos Medina, husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper, was taken into custody after a standoff at his home. Medina did the housework.
The police did not name possible motives. Following the cancellation of Roe v. Wade, hundreds of threats were made across the country against Catholic and Protestant leaders. More than 75 arsons and other acts of violence were committed against churches and life-protecting clinics. The FBI says it doesn’t investigate violence.
“We can only imagine how society suffers because of this senseless killing,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “Bishop O’Connell has been a guiding light for so many and his legacy will live on in the community he helped build.”
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said his office is “deeply concerned and saddened” by law enforcement’s decision that O’Connell’s death was a homicide, MSN reported. Catholics gathered on Saturday evening near the site of the shooting, where they clutched candles and prayed “Hail Mary.” The flyer, posted next to the warning tape, contained a prayer for eternal rest for the dead and a message of love for O’Connell.
O’Connell served in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the largest Catholic diocese in the United States, for 45 years and was known as “a man of deep prayer,” Gomez said. “He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and immigrants, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was respected and protected. He was also a good friend and I will miss him greatly.”
O’Connell, affectionately known as “Bishop Dave”, was one of five auxiliary bishops who assist Gomez in pastoral and administrative tasks. A native of County Cork, Ireland, O’Connell served in several South Los Angeles wards. He served people suffering from poverty and gang violence and sought to build relationships between law enforcement and members of the community.
“I was a part of people’s lives and I was there during the suffering of young people who lost their lives so many times, but I did not have any problems,” O’Connell said in 2015. I think it’s really important for us to be around, to be with people.”
As chairman of the Southern California Immigration Task Force, which lobbies for immigration reform, O’Connell served immigrants behind the scenes. He often paid for unaccompanied minors to attend Catholic schools or urged principals to enroll students for free.”
A flood of parishioners and community members attended the vigil near O’Connell’s home after his death Saturday, according to CBS News.
– Dwight Vidaman | Metro Voice