The Most Reverend Shawn McKnight was installed as the 12th Bishop and fifth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on May 27, 2025.
Archbishop McKnight was born in 1968, grew up in a large Catholic family, and attended Catholic schools. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Wichita on May 28, 1994. He earned a Master of Arts degree and a Master of Divinity degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum (1993-1994) and earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm in Rome in 1999.
"I am deeply grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for entrusting me with the mission of serving the faithful of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. It is with great enthusiasm that I begin this new chapter of my ministry, eager to meet the people, clergy, and religious who make this local Church so vibrant. I come with an open heart, ready to listen, to learn, and to walk alongside you as together we proclaim the joy of the Gospel. As we prepare to move forward together, please join me in celebrating the service and the spirit of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who has faithfully shepherded this archdiocese with wisdom, dedication and a deep love for Christ and His Church. My prayer is that we continue to grow as a synodal and missionary Church, reaching out to all with compassion and hope. Please know of my prayers for you, and I humbly ask for yours as we embark on this journey of faith together."