{{short description|American prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1968)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = | honorific-prefix = His Excellency, The Most Reverend | name = William Shawn McKnight | honorific-suffix = | title = Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas | image = His Excellency Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight Bishop Ordination Diocese of Jefferson City February 6 2018 Praying.jpg | image_size = | caption = McKnight at his 2018 ordination | archdiocese = | diocese = | see = Kansas City in Kansas | appointed = April 8, 2025 | enthroned = May 27, 2025 | retired = | predecessor = Joseph Fred Naumann | successor = | other_post = | previous_post = Bishop of Jefferson City (2018-2025) <!---------- Orders ---------->| ordination = May 28, 1994 | ordained_by = Eugene John Gerber | consecration = February 6, 2018 | consecrated_by = Robert James Carlson, John R. Gaydos, and Carl A. Kemme<!---------- Personal details ----------> | birth_name = William Shawn McKnight | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|06|26}} | birth_place = Wichita, Kansas, US | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | nationality = | alma_mater = | coat_of_arms = | motto = ''Gratias agamus Domino''<br>(Let us give thanks to the Lord) | education = University of Dallas<br>Pontifical College Josephinum<br>Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm }} {{Infobox bishopstyles | name= William Shawn McKnight | dipstyle= *His Excellency *The Most Reverend | offstyle=Your Excellency | relstyle=Archbishop | image = File:Coat of arms of Shawn McKnight (Kansas City).svg | image_size = 200px }}
right|thumb|200px|Coat of arms as bishop of Jefferson City '''William Shawn McKnight''' (born June 26, 1968) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas since 2025. He previously served as bishop of Jefferson City from 2017 to 2025.
==Biography==
=== Early life === W. Shawn McKnight was born June 26, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas, to William and Mary McKnight. He has one sister and five brothers. Planning a career in medicine, McKnight attended the University of Dallas in Texas. During a retreat conducted by a university chaplain, McKnight started thinking about becoming a priest.<ref name=":0" />
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of Dallas in 1990, McKnight entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/william-shawn-mcknight-officially-ordained-jefferson-city-s-new-bishop/article_23c8e400-0ba3-11e8-9981-8bb2f4479d0e.html|title=William Shawn McKnight officially ordained Jefferson City's new bishop|last=Spinella|first=Sten|work=Columbia Missourian|access-date=May 17, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He was awarded Master of Theology and Master of Divinity degrees by the Josephinum in 1994.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://faculty.jcu.edu/cscnewparameters/home/brussels-meeting/participants-staff-and-special-guests/w-shawn-mcknight/|title=Re-engaging Science and Theology in Seminary Education – W. Shawn McKnight, S.T.D.|website=faculty.jcu.edu|language=en-US|access-date=May 17, 2018}}</ref>
=== Priesthood === McKnight was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita by Bishop Eugene Gerber on May 28, 1994, for the Diocese of Wichita.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishop William Shawn McKnight [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmcknight.html |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> After his 1994 ordination, the diocese assigned McKnight as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis Names New Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville; Pope Francis also Names New Bishop of Jefferson City |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2017/pope-francis-names-new-bishop-diocese-nashville-pope-francis-also-names-new-bishop |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=US Conference of Catholic Bishops |language=en}}</ref>
McKnight traveled to Rome in 1997 to study at the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. |url=https://cathedralkck.org/people/most-reverend-shawn-mcknight |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle |language=en}}</ref> After his return to Kansas that year, the diocese appointed him as parish administrator for Saint Patrick Parish in Chanute, Kansas. In 2000, he was also named chaplain at Newman University in Wichita. In 2001, McKnight reenrolled at the Athenaeum, where he was awarded a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in 2001.<ref name=":4" />
In 2003, McKnight went to Ohio to become director of liturgy and faculty member of the Josephinum. He was also assigned to the pastoral staff of St. Mary's Parish in the Diocese of Columbus. During his five years at the Josephinum, McKnight also held the following posts:
* Dean of students from 2004 to 2006 * Director of formation from 2006 to 2007 * Vice-president for development and alumni relations from 2007 to 2008<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Biography {{!}} Diocese of Jefferson City |url=https://diojeffcity.org/bishop-mcknight/biography/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>
After coming back to Kansas in 2008, the Diocese of Wichita assigned McKnight as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita, a posting he would hold for three years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=November 21, 2017 |title=US: Pope Appoints Two New Bishops - ZENIT - English |url=https://zenit.org/articles/us-pope-appoints-two-new-bishops/ |access-date=May 17, 2018 |work=ZENIT - English |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2010, McKnight went to Washington D.C. to serve the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in their Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. This position assists priests in their ministry, assists the Committee on Child and Youth Protection, and addresses priesthood concerns with the public.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |title=Fr. Shawn McKnight named head of USCCB's Secretariat for Clergy |url=http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/news/1000-advanceimport-1000/10605-fr-shawn-mcknight-named-head-of-usccbe28099s-secretariat-for-clergy-10605 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055751/http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/news/1000-advanceimport-1000/10605-fr-shawn-mcknight-named-head-of-usccbe28099s-secretariat-for-clergy-10605 |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |website=Diocese of Wichita |language=en-gb}}</ref>
After completing his term at the USCCB in 2015, McKnight was appointed pastor of Magdalen Parish in Wichita. He served there from 2015 to 2018.
=== Bishop of Jefferson City === Pope Francis appointed McKnight as bishop of Jefferson City on November 21, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pope Francis Names New Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville; Pope Francis also Names New Bishop of Jefferson City |url=http://www.usccb.org/news/2017/17-226.cfm |accessdate=November 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Pope Names New Bishop For Jefferson City Diocese |url=https://diojeffcity.org/headline/pope-names-new-bishop-for-jefferson-city-diocese/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201050233/https://diojeffcity.org/headline/pope-names-new-bishop-for-jefferson-city-diocese/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |accessdate=November 21, 2017 |website=Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City}}</ref> McKnight was the fifth bishop to come from the Diocese of Wichita since 1998. He was consecrated on February 6, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Priest will be 5th bishop from Wichita since 1998 |url=http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article185799983.html |access-date=May 17, 2018 |work=kansas |language=en}}</ref>
McKnight in November 2018 released a list of 33 diocesan priests and religious brothers with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Diocese of Jefferson City Bishop Releases Names Involved in Sexual Abuse |url=https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/diocese-of-jefferson-city-bishop-releases-names-involved-in-sexual-abuse/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=KOLR - OzarksFirst.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He made this statement:<blockquote>“Today there can be no secrets in our diocese. I pledge to put the care of victims, their loved ones and their communities first and foremost. Our long-standing Catholic social teachings require that we afford a preferential option for the poor, and this is most especially the case for those who have been victimized by the clergy of our own Church."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/17/pope-francis-ends-pontifical-secrecy-rule-child-sexual-abuse-catholic-church?utm_source=chatgpt.com|title=Pope ends 'secrecy' rule on child sexual abuse in Catholic church|work=theguardian}}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}</blockquote>
McKnight is part of the planning team for the Science and Faith in Seminary Formation Project at John Carroll University. The project goal is to:<blockquote>“...allow Roman Catholic seminarians and clergy to engage the bigger questions of science that are naturally a part of theological inquiry and pertinent to contemporary Christians who live in a world deeply influenced, if not dominated, by science and technology.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://semscience.net/home/about/ |access-date=May 17, 2018 |work=Science and Faith in Seminary Formation |language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2024, McKnight garnered controversy for issuing and swiftly rescinding a decree that banned several popular hymns, including “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen, from diocesan liturgies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pattison |first=Mark |title=Missouri Catholic diocese issues blacklist of hymns |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/missouri-catholic-diocese-issues-blacklist-hymns |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=www.ncronline.org |language=en}}</ref> The decree had the name “Suggested Mass Settings and Prohibited Hymns.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suggested Mass Settings and Prohibited Hymns |url=https://diojeffcity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Suggested-Mass-Settings-and-Prohibited-Hymns.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241031221949/https://diojeffcity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Suggested-Mass-Settings-and-Prohibited-Hymns.pdf |archive-date=October 31, 2024 |website=Diocese of Jefferson City}}</ref> After receiving passionate responses from the Catholic community, McKnight replaced the decree with a new directive emphasizing synodal consultation on liturgical music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pattison |first=Mark |title=Missouri bishop backtracks on hymn ban, opens dialogue on liturgical music |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/missouri-bishop-backtracks-hymn-ban-opens-dialogue-liturgical-music |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=www.ncronline.org |language=en}}</ref>
=== Metropolitan Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas=== On April 8, 2025, Pope Francis appointed him as metropolitan archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas. He was installed on May 27, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/04/08/250408a.html |title=Resignations and Appointments, 08.04.2025 |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://archkck.org/pope-francis-appoints-new-archbishop/ |title=Welcome Our New Archbishop-designate Shawn McKnight! |accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref>
== Lectures and classes ==
* The National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD), the National Diaconate Institute for Continuing Education and other Diaconate programs have invited McKnight to be a speaker at their gatherings. * In 2005, McKnight taught a class at the Josephinum called “The Latin Rite Deacon”. * The St. Meinrad Permanent Deacon Formation Program at St Meinrad Seminary in Indiana offered a class called “Theology of the Deacon”, instructed by McKnight from 2005 to 2010.
== Publications == McKnight wrote a dissertation on the permanent diaconate under the guidance of Reverend James Puglisi. The ''Deacon Reader'' and ''The'' have published some of McKnight's diaconate writings. McKnight is the author of ''Understanding the Diaconate,'' published by the Catholic University of America Press.<ref name=":5">''Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations'' (Washington DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2018) {{ISBN|978-08132-3036-8}}</ref> An excerpt states,<blockquote>“Understanding the diaconate adds the resources of sociology and anthropology to the theological sources of scripture, liturgy, patristic era texts, theologians, and magisterial teachings to conclude that the deacon can be understood as "social intermediary and symbol of communities" who serves the participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church. This research proposes the deacon as a servant of the bond of communion within the Church (facilitating the relationship between the bishop or priest and his people), and between the People of God and the individual in need.”<ref name=":5" /></blockquote>
==See also== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * Catholic Church hierarchy * Catholic Church in the United States * Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States * List of Catholic bishops of the United States * Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops {{div col end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://archkck.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City in Kansas Official site] *[https://diojeffcity.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City Official site] *[https://diojeffcity.org/new-bishop-info/ Profile on Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152723/https://diojeffcity.org/new-bishop-info/ |date=May 17, 2018 }}
{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{succession box |title=Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas |before= Joseph Fred Naumann |after= Incumbent |years= 2025-Present | }} {{succession box |title=Bishop of Jefferson City |before= John R. Gaydos |after= vacant |years= 2018-2025 | }} {{s-end}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|United States|Kansas}} {{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas|state=collapsed}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City|state=collapsed}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McKnight, Shawn}} Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:People from Wichita, Kansas Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Jefferson City Category:Diocese of Wichita Category:Catholics from Kansas Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Francis