Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
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).