Police in Los Angeles have launched a murder investigation after an Irish bishop was shot dead yesterday afternoon.
David O'Connell, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was discovered with a gunshot wound in a house in a suburb of the city.
The 69-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene in Hacienda Heights.
Bishop O'Connell had moved to the US from Ireland 45 years ago.
In a statement, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said Bishop O'Connell's death was a shock, saying that he had "no words to express my sadness".
He paid tribute to "Bishop Dave" describing him as "a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant".
He asked for prayers for the bishop and "for his family in Ireland".
He said the people of the Archdiocese are deeply disturbed and saddened by the news that Bishop O'Connell's death was a homicide.
He has asked for prayers to continue "for Bishop Dave and his family and for law enforcement officials as the continue their investigation into this terrible crime".
The news of his death has sent shockwaves across his native diocese, Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin said.
Bishop Gavin expressed his sympathies and prayers to the O’Connell family in Cork, to Archbishop José H Gomes and the people, priests and religious of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
He said that since his ordination in 1979, Bishop Dave always maintained his connection with family and friends in Cork and had been a regular visitor to the Diocese.
He offered prayers of comfort to Bishop Dave's family, friends, colleagues and all the bereaved.
Additional reporting: Ailbhe Conneely
