Dennis Marion Schnurr

Early life and education

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.^[2]

Ordination and ministry

Schnurr was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Frank Greteman on July 20, 1974 for the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa. He 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^[3] 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.

Bishop of Duluth

On January 18, 2001, Schnurr was appointed the eighth bishop of the Diocese 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).

Archbishop of Cincinnati

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.