Archbishop William Shawn McKnight

Rev. William Shawn McKnight was born on 26 June 1968 in Wichita, in the diocese of the same name. He attended the University of Dallas, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry (1990). He entered the Seminary, and carried out his ecclesiastical studies in the Pontifical “Josephinum” College in Columbus, Ohio (1990-1994). He subsequently obtained a licentiate (1999) and a doctorate (2001) in sacramental theology from the Pontifical Saint Anselm Athenaeum in Rome. He has published several articles on sacramental pastoral themes. He was ordained a priest on 28 May 1994, for the diocese of Wichita. Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: parish vicar of the “Blessed Sacrament Parish” in Wichita (1994-1997); parish administrator of the “Saint Patrick Parish” in Chanute (1999); chaplain and adjunct professor at “Newman University” in Wichita (2000-2001); pastor of the “Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish” in Colwich (2000-2003); diocesan director of Divine Worship, diocesan consultor and member of the presbyteral council (2000-2005); director of liturgy (2003-2007), assistant professor (2003-2008), dean of students (2004-2006), director of formation (2006-2007) and vice-president for “Development and Alumni Relations” (2007-2008) at the Pontifical “Josephinum” College in Columbus, Ohio; pastor of the “Blessed Sacrament Parish” in Wichita (2008-2010); Faculty member of the “Saint Meinrad” Seminary in Indiana for the formation of permanent deacons (2005-2010); executive director for the Office of the Clergy and Consecrated Life of the Episcopal Conference of the United States (2010-2015); pastor of the “Church of the Magdalen” parish in Wichita (since 2015).