The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny  

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny was elected the fifth Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma on May 5, 2007 and consecrated on September 15, 2007.

Bishop Ed, as he is known, was born December 20, 1954 at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane Washington. His father, Edwin, and mother, Johanna, (a Canadian Citizen) relocated to Southern California in 1955. Bishop Ed, along with his older sister, Helene, and younger brother, William, were raised in the shadows of Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Following graduation from High School Bishop Ed attended college part-time while beginning a career in Law Enforcement. From 1975 until 1992, Bishop Ed served as a Police Officer with the Garden Grove and Anaheim Police Departments. His assignments varied from Uniformed Patrol to Child Abuse/Sexual Assault to Vice. Bishop Ed received numerous commendations and was cited twice for Meritorious Service. In addition to his regular Law Enforcement duties, Bishop Ed also served on various community boards, as the Police Union Vice President responsible for Labor Relations, as an instructor for the California Districts Attorneys Association (cited twice as Outstanding Instructor of the Year), and on a US Congressional District Advisory Board on Law Enforcement.

During this same time, Bishop Ed completed an Associate in Arts Degree in Administration of Justice and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice.

Bishop Ed was ordained a Deacon and Priest in 1994 following completion of his Master of Divinity Degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. Since that time Bishop Ed has served churches in Texas and Colorado.

With an emphasis on encouraging people to embody their Baptismal Covenant, Bishop Ed has promoted both personal spiritual growth and congregational development and growth. At churches both in Texas and Colorado, Bishop Ed has successfully guided congregations in growth that more than doubled church membership and developed resources to expand the ministry and outreach of the congregations. In 2001, Bishop Ed completed a Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth and Development from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.

In addition to his work in the church, Bishop Ed has served on numerous boards and committees including: Hillcrest Hospital Samaritan Board, Providence Hospital Hospice Board, Boy Scouts of America, Chamber of Commerce, Baylor University School of Social Services, President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Colorado, and in the Lyon’s Club.

Bishop Ed has also served as a consultant to corporations and municipalities.

In 2007, Bishop Ed received a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, for his work in the church from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.

The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma encompasses the entire 70,000 square miles of the state. As the Bishop of Oklahoma, Bishop Ed oversees 70 congregations, three Diocesan Schools, two Retirement/Assisted Living Homes, a Camp and Conference Center, and multiple other institutions and ministries.

Bishop Ed and Debbie were married in 1978; they have two sons: Michael and Daniel; Daughter-in-law: Jennifer; and three Grandchildren:  Kyra, Coden and Rachael.

For recreation Bishop Ed enjoys travel, golf, cooking, and is a licensed General Aviation Pilot.