Well-known Triangle Catholic priest dies

Monsignor John F. "Tim" O'Connor, who served the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh for 40 years, died late Sunday. He was 67.

Posted 3:28 p.m. Jun 10, 2013 — Updated 7:22 p.m. Jun 12, 2013

RALEIGH, N.C. — Monsignor John F. "Tim" O'Connor, who served the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh for 40 years, died late Sunday. He was 67.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Father O'Connor most recently was pastor of Saint Luke the Evangelist Church in Raleigh. He previous served as rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Raleigh and pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Cary.

"He was a gifted homilist who effectively preached the word of God and touched the hearts of his people," Bishop Michael Burbidge said in a statement. "I join his brother priests, dear mother and all his family, friends and parishioners in thanking God for his priestly service and in praying for his eternal happiness in the kingdom of heaven."

O'Connor served as WRAL's tour guide and was featured prominently in the station's Emmy award-winning documentary, "Upon This Rock," in 1999. WRAL-TV was given permission to take one of the first high-definition cameras into the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

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