Irish-born Bishop David O’Connell was shot dead in Los Angeles last week
Local California state senator Bob Archuleta, who represents southeastern Los Angeles County, also paid tribute to Bishop O’Connell, recalling his role as a peacemaker among Los Angeles gang districts as well his work with communities across the city and beyond.
“He had the ability to walk the streets wherever he went, bringing people together – he was truly a man of the cloth, bringing gang members together – when the gang leaders were ready to fight, the father was there – it’s a calling and he answered that calling.” “Bishop O’Connell was a long-time friend of mine – I first met him when I was on the Los Angeles City Council and represented Watts and he was a pastor at Ascension Catholic Church in south LA and he and I worked with gang members and with the community,” she said.
“He devoted himself to supporting immigrants, not only making sure that they had food and shelter but even helping immigrant children, unaccompanied minors get into Catholic schools and into college – his heart was boundless – the Catholics of Los Angeles have lost an incredible leader.
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