Bishop William Shawn McKnight
| Birthday: | 26 June 1968 |
| Education: | Bachelor’s in Biochemistry – University of Dallas, Irving, TX |
| Ordination: | 28 May 1994 |
| Episcopate: | 6 February 2018 |
Bishop William Shawn McKnight on the Issues
Viganò testimony
Supports investigating Archbishop Viganò’s claims-
At the June 2019 USCCB meeting, Bishop McKnight expressed the importance of including laity in any Church investigation into the clerical sex-abuse crisis. He called for mandatory lay involvement to ensure that “bishops do not harm the Church in the way bishops have harmed the Church.” (LifeSiteNews)
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After the Holy See prohibited U.S. bishops from taking measures to address the sexual abuse crisis in November 2018, Bishop McKnight publicly voiced his frustration. He urged the Church to take “immediate, decisive, and substantive actions” to address the sex abuse crisis. McKnight called on his brother bishops to “be men, not cowards” and assemble a “top-notch investigation” which includes “competent laity” to investigate McCarrick. (LifeSiteNews)
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In 2018, Bishop McKnight pledged to “change the culture among clergy” and “rebuild trust” with the laity in light of ex-Cardinal McCarrick’s sexual abuse scandal. McKnight called the silence from his brother bishops “almost unbearable” and “inexplicable.” (LifeSiteNews)
Amoris Laetitia
Not enough evidence collected on this issuePro-life leadership
Actively engages in pro-life leadership-
Bishop McKnight opened the annual Missouri Pro-Life Lobby Day with a prayer on March 12, 2019. McKnight rebuked infanticide and affirmed that the “fundamental right to life must be recognized above all other rights.” He prayed that those in attendance may “never tire” and “remain solidly united in the defense of all human life.” (The Catholic Missourian)
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On January 21, 2019, Bishop McKnight celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph for all those attending the annual March for Life. During his homily, he thanked all those attending the March for their enthusiasm and “profound respect for the dignity of all human life.” (The Catholic Missourian)
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Bishop McKnight spoke at a 40 Days for Life “Cast the Vision” assembly at St. Andrew Parish in his diocese in 2108. He called on all those present to be a witness to the “sacredness and the gift that every human life is” and to “give voice to those who are most vulnerable.” (The Catholic Missourian)