Whereas the Very Reverend Mark Mertes began his service as Vicar General & Vicar for Priests on 1 October 2025 to assist me as the Diocesan Bishop in my pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and its presbyterate;
Whereas the need has been presented to offer similar pastoral care for the diaconate of the Archdiocese;
Having considered the options to offer the necessary care to the diaconate, and finding it expediate to expand the service of the Vicar for Priests to care for all the clergy of the Archdiocese, I hereby decree the following appointment:
• The Very Reverend Mark Mertes, from Vicar for Priests to Vicar for Clergy (cf. Can 476), while continuing as Vicar General (cf. Can. 475 §2), Ecclesiastical Notary (cf. Can. 483, §1), and Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City, KS;
This decree is to be published on the website of the Archdiocese and in the next edition of The Leaven.
Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS on the 7th day of October, The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, in the year of Our Lord 2025.
The Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, S.T.D.
Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Rev. Anthony Saiki, J.C.L.
Vice-Chancellor
† Published without editorial alteration
