by Amy Reinhardt
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The path that led Archbishop Shawn McKnight to becoming the shepherd of the Kansas City archdiocesan flock has been a long one, filled with a variety of different posts and responsibilities.
Since his ordination in 1994, Archbishop McKnight has served God as student, chaplain, professor, pastor, dean of students, USCCB director, bishop and more.
Although he has impacted many, and many are fortunate to call him friend, there are a few who crossed paths with the new archbishop earlier than most. These include Father Daniel Vacca, Father Patrick York, Father Matthew McGuinness and Father Samuel Brand — all serving in the Diocese of Wichita.
Father Vacca’s friendship with Archbishop McKnight stems back to their days in seminary formation — 35 years ago.
Both young men had summer jobs in the chaplain department at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Living and working together marked the beginning of their friendship.
“For most priests, our friendships are established in [the] seminary and become lifelong,” said Father Vacca. “It’s similar to going to college and living in a frat house.”
The two later graduated one year apart from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.
“He has always been a very capable type,” said Father Vacca of Archbishop McKnight. “He was pre-med in college before becoming a seminarian. He is one of those diligent, hardworking types who are successful in whatever they do.”
During their first assignments, he and Father McKnight were at neighboring parishes, which meant they could spend their day off together.
The two priests enjoyed hiking, bowling and going to the movies. Father Vacca said they’ve maintained this practice off and on over the years.
While Father Matthew McGuinness and Father Patrick York were not seminarians with Archbishop McKnight, that is still where they first crossed paths with him.
Father McGuinness was the vocation director who followed the seminarians through until their ordination. Father York was also on the vocation team at the time.
“He was a solid priest,” said Father McGuinness. “He has a critical mind, in the positive sense that he can analyze a situation and understand what the issues are and how they need to be addressed.”
“Shawn McKnight always had a very confident air about him,” recalled Father York. “I would not call it arrogant by any stretch of the imagination. But he is definitely very aware of his gifts and potential.”
And, as in the parable of the talents in Matthew’s Gospel, there was a recogtnition in his friend of the importance of using God’s gifts, said Father York. To whom more is given, more is expected, he explained.
Throughout his career, Archbishop McKnight has placed special importance on stewardship and the role of the laity — their coresponsibility in leadership.
“We have to listen to our people,” Father Vacca elaborated. “We need to respect and honor the experiences of all members of the church.”
The stewardship way of life is all he and Archbishop McKnight have known since becoming priests for the Diocese of Wichita. Everything one has is a gift from God, which is meant to be shared responsibly and generously, he said.
Of these four priests, only Father Samuel Brand served under Archbishop McKnight during his first year as pastor at Church of the Magdalen in Wichita.
“What struck me most about him was that he was constantly thinking and sharpening his mind. He’d always be asking what we could do better,” he said.
When it came to making decisions, all four priests agreed.
“Administratively, the man is a machine,” Father York declared. “He works hard and expects others to work hard. He’s very organized, detailed, savvy, and has a lot of common sense.”
“He is very direct,” Father McGuinness added. “He will take the heat in making a decision, especially if it’s unpopular.”
For example, Father Vacca recalled, after issuing a decree on church music that caused a firestorm of criticism, Archbishop McKnight rescinded the decree to take it back to the drawing board for revision.
“Having to withdraw a decree after only a few weeks could be hugely embarrassing,” Father Vacca said. “But he was not afraid to admit that he’d missed the mark. It showed great humility.”
No one was shocked by the news of then-Bishop McKnight’s promotion to the archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas. They all anticipated he would move on to a position with more responsibility.
“He has had so many different experiences that set him up for this new role,” said Father McGuinness. “This was a natural step for him.”
“It’s going to be a very productive period for the archdiocese,” added Father York. “He will continue the good work of his predecessor.”
Father Brand admits that Archbishop McKnight has big shoes to fill when it comes to his esteemed predecessor in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, who has served loyally, successfully, and generously for the past 20-plus years.
“I expect him to be an archbishop who fully supports his priests. Giving them the help they need and calling them to greatness,” Father Brand concluded. “I hope and pray the people will see in him someone who will unify the whole archdiocese around the mission of the church, serving God and neighbor.”
