William Shawn McKnight (born June 26, 1968) is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Jefferson City since 2017.

[1] After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from the University of Dallas in 1990, McKnight entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

[6] In 2010, McKnight went to Washington D.C. to serve the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in their Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

McKnight in November 2018 released a list of 33 diocesan priests and religious brothers with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors.

Our long-standing Catholic social teachings require that we afford a preferential option for the poor, and this is most especially the case for those who have been victimized by the clergy of our own Church.” McKnight is part of the planning team for the Science and Faith in Seminary Formation Project at John Carroll University.

The project goal is to:“...allow Roman Catholic seminarians and clergy to engage the bigger questions of science that are naturally a part of theological inquiry and pertinent to contemporary Christians who live in a world deeply influenced, if not dominated, by science and technology.”[12]In November 2024, McKnight garnered controversy for issuing and swiftly rescinding a decree that banned several popular hymns, including “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen, from diocesan liturgies.

[16] An excerpt states,“Understanding the diaconate adds the resources of sociology and anthropology to the theological sources of scripture, liturgy, patristic era texts, theologians, and magisterial teachings to conclude that the deacon can be understood as "social intermediary and symbol of communities" who serves the participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church.