Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters
Photo: MARIO ANSUONI/ REUTERS
In Southern California, a Catholic auxiliary bishop was apparently the victim of a crime: 69-year-old minister David O'Connell was found dead on Saturday in a Los Angeles suburb from a gunshot wound.
In the meantime, the police confirmed to the AP news agency that they were investigating the case because of a homicide.
The further circumstances of the incident initially remained unclear.
In a statement, Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose H. Gomez confirmed the death of the auxiliary bishop.
»I am shocked and cannot find words for my sadness«.
Gomez called for prayers: "Let us pray for the law enforcement officers as they continue their investigation into this horrific crime."
A native of Ireland, O'Connell had worked in the Los Angeles diocese for 45 years, first as a priest and later as an auxiliary bishop.
Gomez praised his work as a "peacemaker with a heart for the poor and immigrants."
O'Connell respected and protected the "sacredness and dignity of every human life."
mic/AP