Making Connections

By Bishop Shawn McKnight Next January, I will be making a special trip to Rome, along with other bishops from Missouri and some adjoining states. We have been invited to make our “ad limina” visit to the Holy See. The Latin phrase refers to one of the primary reasons for the visit, to pray at…

Bishop Shawn McKnight | For several months the priests of the Presbyteral Council have been evaluating the current practice of having Confirmation at 16 or 17 years of age.  They have been in consultation with other priests, deacons, the Catholic Schools Office, the Office of Faith Formation, as well as parish catechetical leadership on the…

By Bishop W. Shawn McKnight Click here to see a video of Bishop McKnight and Chancery staff members leading a Rosary for healing and protection for people affected by sexual abuse. At the conclusion of the retreat earlier this month convoked by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the bishops of the United States in light…

Bishop Shawn McKnight Last week I celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with pilgrims from our diocese as they began their trip for the March for Life.  I told them I was proud of them for their enthusiasm to witness the beauty of our Catholic faith as seen in our profound respect for…

By Bishop Shawn McKnight We want to provide care for those who have been harmed On November 8 I provided to the people of our Diocese and the public a list of 33 priests and religious brothers who have either been credibly accused or removed from ministry in the Diocese of Jefferson City out of…

PDF version for printing By Bishop Shawn McKnight The November General Assembly of Bishops in Baltimore was a difficult but perhaps unavoidable experience for us to move forward as a Church. I was very disappointed to learn that the Holy See found it necessary to insist that the USCCB not take action at this time…

Bishop Shawn McKnight Today, there can be no more secrets in our Diocese In the past 12 days I have participated in six listening sessions across our Diocese regarding the sexual abuse crisis in our Church. As Pope Francis has encouraged, we bishops are to be close to our people and know what they are…

Thank you to all the pastors who graciously read this letter, in English and Spanish, at Masses the weekend of Aug. 18-19. May we all pray for healing in the Church and for those affected by clergy sexual abuse.