Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday appointed Father Ralph O’Donnell from the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, as the next bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri.
Bishop-elect O’Donnell, 55, has been a priest for 28 years and currently serves as the pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church in Omaha. O’Donnell replaces Bishop Shawn McKnight, who was appointed as the bishop of Kansas City, Kansas, by Pope Francis shortly before his death in April.
“I’m grateful to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for this appointment,” the priest said in a statement after his appointment. “I look forward to coming to know and to serve the people of the Diocese of Jefferson City with joy. Let us pray for one another in the days ahead.”
We welcome with joy Fr. Ralph O’Donnell, who has been appointed the fifth Bishop of Jefferson City! Learn more: https://t.co/5b2HKKiUtp pic.twitter.com/oB2hcCpM2y
— Diocese of Jefferson City (@DioJeffCity) August 19, 2025
Since his ordination to the priesthood in 1997, the Omaha native has served as a pastor and associate pastor of several local parishes, including as pastor of St. Margaret Mary, where he has been stationed since 2019. O’Donnell is currently listed as a board member of Catholic Charities of Omaha.
Catholic Charities, along with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has been sharply criticized over its alleged support for illegal immigration. The nonprofit manages the day-to-day care for many unaccompanied alien children (UACs) and, along with the USCCB, has received $449 million from the U.S. government to shelter and transport unaccompanied immigrant children over the years.
Continue reading at LifeSite News