Pope Francis names next bishop for the Diocese of Jefferson City

Pope Francis has named Father Shawn McKnight, 49, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, as the next bishop for the Diocese of Jefferson City.

Bishop-Elect Mcknight will be the fourth bishop of the diocese since its founding in 1956.

McKnight was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Wichita in 1994.

Mcknight earned a master of arts degree and a master of divinity degree from the Pontifical College Josephinum and later earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Anthenaeum of St. Anselm in Rome. Mcknight also earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology also from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm.

Pope Francis recently accepted the resignation of Bishop John Gaydos, who served as the third bishop of Jefferson City.