KANSAS CITY, KANSAS — Archbishop Shawn McKnight has appointed Mr. Andrew Bartell to serve as the Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Promoter of Justice for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, effective September 8, 2026.
As Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Promoter of Justice, Mr. Bartell will serve on the Archbishop’s Cabinet as a senior leader responsible for translating the Archbishop’s vision and mission into actionable strategies. His key responsibilities will include leading the design and execution of internal policies and directing the archdiocese’s Information Technology functions. He will ensure that the work carried out by the chancery is efficient and effective in accordance with Canon law.
Mr. Bartell will work alongside Father Michael Hawken, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, to help oversee the day-to-day operations of the chancery. Upon deepening his understanding of the life and operations of the chancery, Mr. Bartell will assume many of the responsibilities of the Moderator of the Curia. Father Hawken will remain serving as Vicar General and oversee the archdiocesan pastoral planning efforts in the deaneries as the archdiocese continues carrying out year two of Renewal in the Heartland and the implementation phase of the synod on synodality. Father Hawken has expressed confidence in Mr. Bartell’s ability to effectively lead in his new role.
“Andrew brings a rare combination of expertise, with degrees in canon and civil law, and a deep love for the Church and his family,” said Father Michael Hawken, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. “Those qualities give me great confidence in his ability to serve the Archbishop and the People of God with wisdom and sound judgement in this important role.”
Mr. Bartell is the first layperson to serve as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, reflecting Archbishop McKnight’s commitment to greater co-responsibility in the Church and to draw more fully upon the professional experience and gifts of the laity in service to strengthening the capacity of the parishes.
“I am grateful for Andrew joining our team as the first lay chancellor of the archdiocese,” said Archbishop Shawn McKnight. “His extensive qualifications and experience will serve my desire for the chancery to be of greater service to the parishes.”
As Chancellor, Mr. Bartell will serve as chief administrative and canonical officer and will be responsible for authenticating decrees, managing institutional records, and upholding canonical compliance. His role as Promoter of Justice carries particular responsibilities in canonical matters and preserving the rights and common good of the Church.
Father Anthony Saiki, J.C.L has served as Chancellor and Promoter of Justice for the archdiocese since September 2025. He will transition to Adjutant Judicial Vicar and continue as Director for Canonical Services. As the Adjutant Judicial Vicar, he will have a greater presence in the Office of the Tribunal and provide more service to the work of marriage annulments. As the Director of Canonical Services, he will continue offering canonical administrative support to the Archbishop and his Cabinet. In addition, he will serve as a canonical resource for the priests and parishes.
“I am delighted that Andrew has joined the Chancery and will serve as the Chancellor, Chief Operating Officer, and Promoter of Justice for the Archdiocese,” said Father Anthony Saiki, Adjunct Judicial Vicar and Director of Canonical Services. “ Andrew brings a wealth of experience from serving the Church in several roles as a civil lawyer and a canon lawyer. Along with his credentials, he brings a wonderful vision and faith that will serve the Archbishop and the whole archdiocese very well.”
Mr. Bartell brings a distinctive combination of legal, canonical, and executive leadership experience to this role. A licensed attorney with a Juris Doctorate and a Licentiate in canon law, he has served in leadership positions spanning civil law, Church governance, tribunal work, planned giving, and organizational administration. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Charism, Mission Integration, and Senior Ministry Advisor for Felician Services, Inc., and is currently on the Canon Law Society of America’s Committee on Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
In addition, he has advised Catholic ministries across North America on governance, strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and mission integration. His experience working at the intersection of canon and civil law, coupled with organizational leadership, uniquely equips him to help strengthen the archdiocese’s governance and operations while ensuring its work remains fully rooted in the mission of the Church.
“I was drawn to this opportunity by the Archdiocese’s commitment to renewal and evangelization, particularly its vision of reaching people in new ways while remaining deeply rooted in the Church’s mission and the call to live the Beatitudes in our daily work. I hope to contribute my experience in canonical and civil governance, and organizational leadership by helping ensure that the Archdiocese’s structures, decisions, and stewardship are faithful, transparent, and always in service of its mission,” said Andrew Bartell of his appointment to serve the Archbishop and archdiocese. “I am especially excited by the opportunity to support the Archbishop and priests in their leadership, helping navigate the canonical and administrative responsibilities of ministry so that they can remain focused as fully as possible on the pastoral and spiritual care of their people. Most of all, I am energized by the opportunity to help build a culture of mission-centered leadership that strengthens the Church’s ability to proclaim the Gospel and serve the people entrusted to our care.”
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