The Catholic Defender: Pope Francis appoints new archbishop for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas church to celebrate retirement of Archbishop Naumann

With special thanks to John Sorce of the Diocese Newspapaer, The Leaven for his information

Pope Francis on April 8 appointed Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, S.Th.D., as the fifth archbishop and twelfth bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

The Vatican announced the resignation of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and appointed McKnight on Tuesday. Archbishop Naumann served as the spiritual father and shepherd of the Archdiocese since 2005.

Archbishop-designate McKnight currently serves as bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri, and has held that title since 2018.

“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,”

“The Holy Father is asking us not to look inward so much, but to look outward. That’s the key – to be more inviting, and more welcoming of people. I hope to lead the charge here in doing that,”

 Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, will succeed Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who has served the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas since 2005. The Archbishop expressed gratitude for the appointment of his successor. “I congratulate Archbishop-designate Shawn McKnight on his appointment. He brings many gifts—keen intellect, deep faith, and a great love for the Church.”

“I look forward to seeing what God wants to do through him to enrich the already vibrant faith life of the archdiocese,” Archbishop Naumann said. “I’m confident that the priests, deacons, religious and laity will welcome Archbishop McKnight — as they did me 21 years ago.”

“I’m not sad about this, but all of the friendships, and all the beautiful relationships and friendships. That’s a treasure. I’ll have more time to cultivate those now, since I won’ t have as many responsibilities to fulfill,”

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Archbishop-designate McKnight currently serves as bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri.

Archbishop-designate McKnight will remain with the Diocese of Jefferson City until he is installed as Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas on May 27 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

He was then ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita by Bishop Eugene Gerber on May 28, 1994, for the Diocese of Wichita.

After his ordination, the diocese assigned Father McKnight as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Wichita. He then traveled to Rome in 1997 to study at the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1999.

Archbishop-designate McKnight served as chaplain at Newman University in Wichita from 2000 to 2001, where at the same time he was an adjunct professor of theology and visiting scholar at the university’s Bishop Gerber Institute of Catholic Studies.

From 2010 to 2016, he served in Washington, D.C., as executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

A native Kansan, Archbishop-designate McKnight was born on June 26, 1968, in Wichita, and is very grateful to be back in his home state.

“I want the people of the Archdiocese of Kansas City to know I pledge my loyalty to Pope Francis and to the  College of Bishops in union with him,”

“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.”