Dennis Marion Schnurr (born June 21, 1948) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Archbishop of Cincinnati, having previously served as Bishop of Duluth from 2001 to 2008 and as Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati from 2008 to 2009.[1]
| Styles of Dennis Marion Schnurr |
|
|---|---|
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | not applicable |
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Dennis Schnurr was born in Sheldon, Iowa, to Edward and Eleanor (née Jungers) Schnurr. One of six children, he has two brothers and three sisters. Raised in Hospers, he attended Spalding Catholic High School in Granville before entering Loras College in Dubuque, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. He later earned a Master's degree in theology in 1974 from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Frank Greteman on July 20, 1974.
Schnurr was an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Epiphany and at Blessed Sacrament Church until 1977, whence he began his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, receiving a doctorate in canon law in 1980. He then served as Vice-Chancellor (1980–1981) and Chancellor (1981–1985) of the Diocese of Sioux City, as well as the diocesan finance officer (1980–1985), a judge on the diocesan tribunal (1980–1985), and secretary of the presbyteral council (1981–1985).
In 1985, Schnurr was assigned to the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. He served as Associate General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference from 1989 to 1995; during his tenure, he supervised those departments dealing with education, domestic and international social policy, and communications. Schnurr organized the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, which was the only time the United States has hosted the event. He was raised to the rank of Prelate of Honor of His Holiness in 1993 as well, and elected General Secretary of the NCCB/USCC in 1994.
On January 18, 2001, Schnurr was appointed the eighth Bishop of Duluth by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on April 2, 2001 from Archbishop Harry Flynn, with Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera and Bishop Lawrence Soens serving as co-consecrators. He selected as his episcopal motto: Quaerite Faciem Domini, meaning, "Seek the face of the Lord" (Psalms 105:4).
Schnurr was later named Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2008. As coadjutor, he automatically succeeded Pilarczyk upon the latter's retirement as Archbishop of Cincinnati on December 21, 2009.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Roger Lawrence Schwietz |
Bishop of Duluth 2001–2008 |
Succeeded by Paul David Sirba |
| Preceded by Daniel Edward Pilarczyk |
Archbishop of Cincinnati 2009–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |