Decrees & Letters

From The Most Reverend Archbishop Shawn McKnight, S.Th.D.

January 29, 2026 / Decree of Appointments

General Decree

Promulgating Priest Salary Structure

Whereas, the Archdiocese has the responsibility to ensure that its priests receive remuneration and support ( cf. Can. 281) and that policies that regulate remuneration and support of priests receive periodic review in order to remain clear, just, and responsive to changing circumstances within the Church and society;

Whereas, after consultation with the Presbyteral Council and the appropriate archdiocesan offices, a revised Salary Policy for Priests has been prepared to better articulate standards for priestly compensation and ensure consistency and equity in their application within this local Church;

By virtue of my authority as Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, in accord with canons 3 81 § 1 and 391 of the Code of Canon Law, and in accord with my responsibilities as the Diocesan Bishop to take care that provision is made for the support of priests ( cf. Can. 3 84) I hereby issue this

GENERAL DECREE

to promulgate the new Priest Salary Structure in order to provide clarity and uniformity, to promote justice and good order, and to ensure that the material support of priests is administered across the Archdiocese in a consistent manner. In accord with the discipline of the Church, the salary established by this decree is the exclusive compensation for priests, and any additional income or remuneration requires the express authorization of the Diocesan Bishop (cf. Can. 286).

This new payment structure and schedule shall take effect on 1 March 2026, with the new amounts specified for priests with an assignment taking effect 1 July 2026, and are to be observed by all parishes and institutions subject to the governance of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. This new Priest Salary Structure and policies that regulate the compensation of priests are subject to revision from time to time as experience, pastoral necessity, and the good of the Church so indicate, with the approval of the Diocesan Bishop. 

Given at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, on this 29th day of January in the Year of Our Lord 2026. 

General Decree Promulgating Priest Salary Structure (1-29-2026)

To provide for the most effective pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENTS

Parochial Administrator:

– The Very Reverend Mark Mertes to Parochial Administrator of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, KS, while continuing as Vicar General & Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City, KS, effective 2 February 2026 and until 30 June 2026.

– The Reverend Keith Chadwick, formerly Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, KS, to part-time Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and part-time assistant to the Chancellor, while continuing as the Archbishop’s Master of Ceremonies, effective 2 February 2026 and until 30 June 2026.

Parochial Vicar:

– The Reverend Keith Chadwick, formerly Pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, KS, to part-time Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and part-time assistant to the Chancellor, while continuing as the Archbishop’s Master of Ceremonies, effective 2 February 2026 and until 30 June 2026.

Other:

– The Reverend Timothy Skoch to Associate Director of Vocations, continuing as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City, KS, and chaplain of Bishop Ward High School, effective immediately.

– The Reverend Nicholas Ashmore, from Associate Director of Vocations to long-distance studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America while continuing as Director of the Diddie Catholic Campus Center and Pastor of St. Catherine Catholic Church, effective immediately.

Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS, on the 2nd day of January in the year of Our Lord 2026.

Decree of Appointments (1-2-26)

Establishing the 7th edition of the ETHICAL AND RELIGIOUS DIRECTIVES FOR CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES as particular law in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Mindful of my responsibility as the diocesan bishop to safeguard the integrity and unity of the truths of the faith, moral principles, and ecclesiastical discipline in the works of the apostolate pertaining to health care in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (cf. canons 392, 394, 678, and 747);

I, Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, hereby issue this General Decree in accord with canon 29 establishing the Th Edition of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the (Arch)diocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The 7th Edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services is to be promulgated in accord with canon 8, §2 by publication of the text on the Internet Website for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (www.archkck.org), and by delivering a copy of the same and a copy of this decree to the chief executive officers and sponsors of all Catholic health care institutions located in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The provisions of the 7th Edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services shall become effective and binding within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on 19 January 2026, any particular legislation, directives, or instructions to the contrary notwithstanding.

Given in the Chancery on 19 December, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.

General Decree on the 7th Edition of the ERD's

Whereas there is need to ensure the proper preservation, safeguarding, and accessibility of the ecclesiastical documents in the archives of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in accord with the norms of the universal law of the Church (cf. Cann. 486-491);

Having considered these needs and to assist the Chancellor, who remains the holder of canonical responsibility for the archives ( cf. Cann. 482 § 1; 487 § 1 ), and carrying out archival duties under his direction as well as the sound pastoral and administrative practice of this local Church, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENT

Mr. Timothy Rives as Assistant Archdiocesan Archivist

Decree of Appointment of Assistant Archdiocesan Archivist (Rives)

 

Whereas the office of Pastor in the parish of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS is vacant and the pastoral care of the parish has been entrusted to a parochial administrator since the resignation of its pastor ( cf. Can. 539); Whereas the pastoral care of the parish and the parishioners require a stable and suitable pastor for the spiritual welfare and good order of the parish (cf. Can. 524); Having considered the needs of the parish and having conducted consultations in order to determine the most suitable candidate to serve as pastor, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENT

The Reverend John Riley from Parochial Administrator of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS to Pastor ( cf. Can. 515 § 1) of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS.

This appointment is effective immediately. The appointment is for a six-year term and is renewable. 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 9th day of December, the Memorial of St. Juan Diego, in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree of Appointment of Pastor (Riley)

Whereas the Diocesan Bishop serves as the judge of the first instance for all cases not excepted by law, either personally or through others ( cf. Can. 1419 § 1 );

Whereas the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese requires the service of the Judicial Vicar and other diocesan judges to address cases in the first instance and when necessary, in the second instance;

Whereas the Rev. Theodulus Tanti, a mission priest serving in the Archdiocese with a pontifical license in canon law, has expressed willingness to serve as a diocesan judge while he serves in the Archdiocese;

Having considered the needs of the Metropolitan Tribunal, the recommendation of the Judicial Vicar, and the qualifications of the Rev. Tanti, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENT

Rev. Theodulus Tanti as a Diocesan Judge (cf. Can. 1421 §1) to serve in the Metropolitan Tribunal, while continuing as parochial vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, KS.

Decree of Appointment (Tanti – Judge)

Whereas the current College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was constituted on 3 June 2024 for a five-year period ( cf. Can. 502 § 1 );

Whereas the College of Consultors lost a member with the passing of Fr. Arul Carasala on 3 April 2025, and the vacancy on the College of Consultors has not been filled;

Having considered the candidates from the Presbyteral Council to fill the vacancy ( cf. Can. 502 § 1 ), I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENT

The Very Reverend Michael Hawken, as a member of the College of Consultors, while continuing as Vicar General (cf. Can. 475 §2), Moderator of the Curia (cf. Can. 473 §2), Ecclesiastical Notary (cf. Can. 483, §1), and Parochial Administrator (cf. Cann. 539-540) of Queen of the Holy Rosary- Wea in Bucyrus, KS.

This appointment is effective immediately and shall be for the remainder of the current constitution of the College of Consultors.

Decree_of_Appointment_to_the_College_of_Consultors_(Fr._Hawken)

Whereas the pastor of the parish of Queen of the Holy Rosary in Wea is impeded from exercising his pastoral function (cf. Can. 539);

Whereas the dean of the Lawrence Deanery has been transfened to a new assignment outside of the deanery; and

Having considered these pastoral needs following due consultation for the appointment of priests to fulfill these roles, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENTS

– The Very Reverend Michael Hawken, V.G. as Temporary Parochial Administrator ( cf. Cann. 539-540) of Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea in Bucyrus, KS, while continuing as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia; 

– The Reverend John Toepfer, OFM, Cap. as Dean of the Lawrence Deanery (cf. Cann. 553- 555), after due consultation with his superior (cf. Can. 682, §1), while continuing as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Lawrence, KS.

These appointments are effective 7 November 2025

Decree_of_Appointments_(11-7-25)

Whereas, Canon 1742 $1 of the Code of Canon Law requires a stable group of pastors be established by the Presbyteral Council to advise the Diocesan Bishop in addressing the ministry of pastors whose ministry have become harmful or at least ineffective;

Whereas, the Presbyteral Council, in response to my request presented in a letter dated September 2025, unanimously voted to establish this stable body of pastors;

11 Whereas, having presented my recommendations of pastors for membership on this stable body, and solicited recommendations from the Council, I hereby appoint

Very Rev. Mark Mertes, V.G., Rev. Nicholas Ashmore, Rev. Brian Schieber, Rev. Mitchel Zimmerman, as well as most of the Deans in the presbyterate, namely Very Rev. Tom Aduri, Very Rev. Bill Brunning, Very Rev. Colin Haganey, Very Rev. Jeremy Heppler, O.S.B., Very Rev. Balachandra Miriyala, Very Rev. Matthew Nagle, and Very Rev. Quentin Schmitz.

to be members of this stable body of pastors. The term of appointment for each member shall be five years; however, the term concludes automatically should a member cease to hold the office of pastor.

This decree is to be published on the website of the Archbishop and communicated to the priests of the Archdiocese. Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS on the 24th day of October in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree of Appointment of Members of a Stable Body of Pastors

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;

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.

Decree of Appointment of Vicar for Clergy (1)

With the approval of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of the release of the document “Pathways for the Implementation Phase of the Synod,” and at the request of and in coordination with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (see the attached appendix), as we develop and integrate synodality in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, I hereby appoint 

THE ARCHDIOCESAN SYNODAL TEAM 

The Archdiocesan Synodal Team will consist of The Very Reverend Michael Hawken, Vicar General, Helen Osman, Coordinator, Denise Mills, and Deacon Jim Mullin.

The Archdiocesan Synodal Team will assist me as the Diocesan Bishop in prayerfully studying the Final Document which Pope Francis received and ordered published from the 2024 Synod of Bishops, in order to further integrate the synodal dimension of ecclesial life into the Archdiocese.

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 30th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree Appointing Archdiocesan Synodal Team (Final, 9-30-25)

Whereas the vacancies created by the transfer of pastors must be filled for the pastoral care of the faithful; Having considered the parishes in need of pastoral care and having consulted the priests personnel board in order to determine suitable candidates to serve them, I hereby decree the following APPOINTMENTS

Pastor:

  • The Very Reverend Colin Haganey, V.F., formerly Pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, KS, St. Joseph in Waverly, KS, St. Patrick in Emerald, KS, and St. Teresa of Avila in Westphalia, KS to Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia, KS, while continuing as Dean of the Southern Deanery;
  • The Very Reverend Gerald Volz, V.F., formerly Pastor of Corpus Christ Catholic Parish in Lawrence, KS and Dean of the Lawrence Deanery to Pastor of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS;
  • The Reverend Carter Zielinski, formerly Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia, KS to Pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Parish, while continuing further studies in Canon Law.

Parochial Administrator:

  • The Reverend George Rhodes, from Parochial Vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, KS, and chaplain of Cor Christi Catholic Center at Washburn University to Parochial Administrator of St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, KS, St. Joseph in Waverly, KS, St. Patrick in Emerald, KS, and St. Teresa of Avila in Westphalia, KS;

Parochial Vicar:

  • The Reverend Theodulus Tanti, from residence at Prince of Peace in Olathe, KS to Parochial Vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, KS.

These appointments will take effect on 31 October 2025.

Parochial Administrator:

The Very Reverend John Riley to Parochial Administrator of Cure of Ars in Leawood, KS, effective immediately.

Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS on the 17th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree of Appointments (9_17_2025)

Whereas the interim appointments made on 28 May 2025 have run their course, and for the good governance of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas stable appointments must be made to assist me as the undersigned Archbishop; Having considered the needs of the Archdiocese, the appointments necessary for the care of this local church, and having determined the candidates to fill them, I hereby decree the following

APPOINTMENTS

  • The Very Reverend Michael Hawken, from pastor of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS, to Vicar General (cf. Can. 475 §1), Moderator of the Curia (cf. Can. 473 §2), Ecclesiastical Notary (cf. Can. 483, § 1), and continuing as parochial administrator of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS until a new pastor is named;
  • The Very Reverend Mark Mertes, from Moderator of Pastoral Life to Vicar General ( cf. Can. 475 §2), Vicar for Priests (cf. Can 476), and Ecclesiastical Notary (cf. Can. 483, §1), while continuing as Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City, KS;
  • The Reverend Anthony Saiki, J.C.L., from Vice-Chancellor to Chancellor (cf. Can. 482) and Promoter of Justice (cf. Can. 1430), while continuing as Rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and Pastor of the Parish of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles in Kansas City, KS. These appointments will take effect on 1 October 2025, and are 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 4th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree of Appointment – Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, Vicar for Priests, Chancellor, Promoter of Justice

Whereas the Archbishop’s Transition Cabinet was constituted on 28 May 2025, to assist me upon my installation as the Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, and has run its course; Whereas to assist me with the pastoral care and good governance of the Archdiocese a stable consultative body is needed; Whereas, having determined the roles necessary to serve on this stable consultative body, I hereby constitute

THE ARCHBISHOP’S CABINET 

Membership as the following:

Very Rev. Michael Hawken, Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
Very Rev. Mark Mertes, Vicar General & Vicar for Priests
Rev. Anthony Saiki, J.C.L., Chancellor & Promoter of Justice

Chris Arth, General Council
Carla Mills, Chief Financial Officer
Marissa Easter, Director of Communication

The constitution of the Archbishop’s Cabinet is effective 1 October 2025. Membership on the Cabinet is at the discretion of the diocesan bishop and can be adjusted anytime according to his needs and judgement. Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS on the 4th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Decree Constituting Archbishop's Cabinet (3)

Whereas the revised edition of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) received recognitio on 13 February 2024 from the Holy See, and was duly promulgated on 31 March 2024 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the National Statues for the Christian Initiation of Adults by the USCCB were promulgated on 25 April 2024;

Whereas in virtue of my responsibility and my pastoral prerogative as diocesan bishop to temporarily dispense from ecclesiastical law when appropriate (cf. Can. 88), after consideration of the pastoral needs of the faithful and the resources presently available in our parishes in the implementation for the new edition of the OCIA, I hereby

DECREE

that all parishes, missions, and other Catholic communities within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are dispensed from the obligation to observe the non-essential components of the OCIA, in particular Norm 4, the ordinary expectation of a year long catechumenate, until 30 September 2026 or a new decree is issued.

All parishes, missions, and other Catholic communities within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are obliged to observe all the essential components, as delineated in the appendix of this decree.

Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, KS, on this 22″” day of August, the Memorial of St. Pius, in the year of Our Lord 2025.

Revised Decree on OCIA

Decree dated

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