Arrest made in murder of popular Catholic bishop

Authorities say a suspect has been arrested in the murder of a Catholic Bishop David O’Connell, of Los Angeles.

O’Connell was gunned down in his home Saturday. Police say the suspect is 65-year-old Carlos Medina, the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper, was taken into custody after a standoff in his home. Medina had done work around the home.

Police have not listed a possible motive. Hundreds of threats have been made across the country against Catholic and Protestant leaders since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Over 75 arson fires and other acts of violence have been perpetrated against churchs and pro-life clinics. The FBI says they are not investigating the violence.

“We can only imagine how the community is suffering because of this senseless murder,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “Bishop O’Connell was a guiding light for so many, and his legacy will continue to live on through the community that he helped build.”

Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez said his office was “deeply disturbed and saddened” by law enforcement’s determination that O’Connell’s death was a homicide, MSN reported. Catholics gathered Saturday evening near the scene of the shooting, where they clutched candles and prayed the Hail Mary, A flyer posted next to caution tape contained the eternal rest prayer 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 the immigrant, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored 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 with pastoral and administrative tasks. A native of County Cork, Ireland, O’Connell served at several parishes in South Los Angeles. He ministered to people experiencing poverty and gang violence, and he sought to smooth relationships between law enforcement and community members,

“I’ve been part of the people’s lives, and been there during the suffering of the young people who have lost their lives so many times, but I haven’t had any problems,” O’Connell said in 2015. “I do believe what’s really important is for us to be out in the neighborhoods, to be out with the people.”

While serving as chair of the Southern California Immigration Task Force, which lobbies for immigration reform, O’Connell ministered to immigrants behind the scenes. He often paid for unaccompanied minors to attend Catholic schools or persuaded principals to enroll the students free of charge.”

A stream of parishioners and community members have visited a vigil outside O’Connell’s home since his death Saturday, CBS News reports.

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice

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