We pray for Bishop O'Connell.. his heart was here in Cork

Man arrested over cleric's killing

- SEAN MURPHY and NICOLA DONNELLY

 

A PRIEST has condemned the brutal killing of an Irish bishop in America and called for prayers at a time of "sadness and sorrow".

Bishop David O'Connell, 69, who was from Cork, died following a gunshot blast to his chest at his home in California on Saturday.

US media reports a man has been arrested yesterday over the killing of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

As murder hunt detectives investigated the killing, prayers were said for the cleric in his home parish in Cork yesterday morning.

Fr Damien O'Mahony paid emotional tributes during Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune.

Fr O'Mahony told worshippers Bishop O'Connell was "brutally killed" and praised him for remaining true to his "Cork roots".

Calling for prayers at a time of "sadness and sorrow", he added: "Bishop O'Connell was a native of Glounthaune, a man who was baptized here in this church in 1953.