by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
After serving the diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri, for seven years, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight is coming home to serve the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Archbishop-designate McKnight was born in Wichita and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1994.
“It is with great joy and pride that we, the Diocese of Wichita, receive the news that Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight as the new archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas,” said Bishop Carl A. Kemme of Wichita.
Bishop Kemme said that the people of the Diocese of Wichita were well served by Father McKnight during his years of ministry in his home diocese.
“We were delighted that he was chosen as bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri,” he said, “and that he has now been chosen to lead the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.”
The bishop added that the appointment highlights the vitality of the Diocese of Wichita and the vocations to the priesthood nurtured there.
“It is a profound blessing to see men from our community of faith rise to serve the church in such significant roles,” he said. “I look forward to working with him as one of the bishops in the province of Kansas.
“We are proud of Archbishop-designate McKnight and pledge our prayerful support for him and his new ministry.”
Indeed, the Diocese of Kansas City in Kansas was elevated to an archdiocese by Pope Pius XII on August 9, 1952. The province encompasses the entire state of Kansas and has three suffragan sees, including Wichita, Salina and Dodge City.
Bishop Gerald Vincke of Salina welcomed Archbishop-designate McKnight home to Kansas saying, “In the spirit of unity and shared mission, I entrust him to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as he prepares to shepherd the people of God in the Archdiocese of Kansas City.
“May God grant him wisdom, compassion and a steadfast commitment to the teachings of Christ.”
Bishop Vincke also expressed gratitude for Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.
“I am blessed to have served alongside Archbishop Naumann for the last 6-plus years and am grateful for his example of leadership,” he said.
Bishop John B. Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City echoed his fellow bishop’s praise, adding a blessing.
“I ask our loving God to bless Archbishop McKnight as he begins a new ministry,” he said. “We pray for him.
“‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart’ (Prv 3:5) are words of wisdom to Archbishop McKnight, and to all of us.”
