Patrick Connolly, an IT specialist from Lucan, has been ordained a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A bishop is the leader of a local congregation (known as a ward) with duties similar to those of a priest, pastor or rabbi.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this position is unpaid and bishops continue to pursue their careers and serve in the Church during their remaining time.
Bishop Connolly will be responsible for the Clondalkin ward, one of five such congregations in the Dublin area. He has been a Church member all his life and, when younger, served a two year voluntary mission for the Church in the United Kingdom He is married to Maresa and they are the parents of four children aged from 21 to 11.
Bishop Connolly will be assisted by two counselors or advisors. Eric Barber, whose work is in the area of sales and marketing, is also a lifelong member. He too provided volunteer service outside Ireland when younger. He is married to Anne-Marie and they have four small children. Kostyantyn Ogorodnikov, originally from Ukraine, is a convert to the Church. He runs his own automotive business. He and his wife, Maryna, also have four children.
Bishop Connolly has said that his main focus will be to help strengthen families and individuals by encouraging Church members to continue following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ as emphasised by the scripture which reads – “Love one another as I have loved you”.