Bishop-elect praises interfaith relations, youth stewardship

The Rev. Shawn McKnight is introduced in Tuesday's press conference as the bishop-elect for the Jefferson City Diocese.
The Rev. Shawn McKnight is introduced in Tuesday's press conference as the bishop-elect for the Jefferson City Diocese.

There's still a few months until the Rev. Shawn McKnight becomes the fourth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, but he already is looking at what he can do to help the diocese grow.

During a news conference last week to announce him as bishop-elect, McKnight noted the idea of fostering "friendships" with other Christian and non-Christian communities.

"We have an obligation to be closer to one another," he said. "We have some common ground, and I want to further those relationships. I've grown in my appreciation over my 23 years as a priest for different faiths. Many of our marriages - maybe half to a third - are between couples where one partner is non-Catholic, so we are forced to address humanization."

He said working with interfaith agencies like the Samaritan Center is important in improving relationships with people of different faiths, and he would like to develop a dialogue where the faith community can agree on legislation and/or advocacy.

McKnight also wants to make sure the needs of Catholic children in the Jefferson City diocese are addressed.

"We need life in the church," he said. "Youth are not the future church, but they already are part of the church. Their energy and enthusiasm helps the whole church."

The Rev. Gabriel Greer, parochial vicar at the Church of the Magdalene in Wichita, where McKnight has been serving as pastor since July 2015, said McKnight is a good administrator and youth involvement has increased since he's been there. This includes hosting summer camps for college-age students to broaden their spiritual life.

"It's very much at the heart of his ministry," Greer said. "He thought it was very important to have a priest involved in our school, so he put me there. He's very much involved and concerned about youth."

On the education front, both the Wichita, Kansas diocese, where McKnight comes from, and the Jefferson City diocese operate on non-tuition-based models for Catholic grade schools. The parishes support the schools, and parents of students are expected to make a financial commitment of support.

However, in the Wichita diocese, Catholic high schools do not charge tuition, unlike Catholic high schools in the Jefferson City diocese.

"I think we saw this as a way to promote stewardship and a way to promote our mission so that every parishioner realizes that everything comes from God and we have an obligation to keep that structure," McKnight said.

When asked if he might address a similar approach when he comes to Jefferson City, he said it was too early for him to consider.

The Jefferson City diocese serves 81,958 Catholics among a total population of 920,234 across 38 counties. That includes 95 parishes, three Catholic high schools and 37 Catholic elementary schools. The Wichita diocese has 112,000 Catholics out of a total population of 994,000, with four high schools, 35 elementary schools and one Catholic university.

McKnight will replace Bishop John Gaydos, who after 20 years is retiring due to health issues. When McKnight, 49, is ordained Feb. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, he will become one of the youngest bishops in the United States.

"It's an honor, and I know the position requires a lot of stamina," he said. "I like to run and did the Marine Corps Marathon when I was doing priestly service in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. I like to hunt quail and pheasant and do clay shooting. I may be young for a bishop, but I think most youth would consider me middle-aged."

McKnight was ordained a priest for the Wichita diocese in May 1994. He served as executive director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which helps provide leadership regarding priestly life and ministry, from 2010-15.

"Overall, I think the folks in Jefferson City can look forward to his learning what people need to grow in their relationship with God. He will have a listening ear. He just wants the people to enjoy the Gospel and promote active service," Greer said. "His focus is bringing the joy of the gospel and to make effective evangelizers."