Early Years

Dennis Marian Schnurr was born in Sheldon, IA, on June 21, 1948 and grew up in Hospers, IA. He studied for the priesthood at the North American College and the Gregorian University, both in Rome, and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City on July 20, 1974.

After three years of parish ministry, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America from 1977 to 1980, where he earned a doctorate degree in canon law. He then served the Diocese of Sioux City as vice chancellor (1980-1981) and chancellor (1981-1985), finance officer (1980-1985) and judge of the diocesan Tribunal (1980-1985).

NCCB & World Youth Day

In 1985, Schnurr was assigned to the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C.

Archbishop Schnurr was appointed Associate General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference (NCCB/USCC) in 1989. He supervised the work of the Conference in the areas of Catholic education; domestic and international policies; ecumenical and interreligious affairs; laity, family life and youth; migration and refugee services; and pro-life activities.

From 1991 to 1993, he served as the National Executive Director of World Youth Day

1993. Nearly 500,000 young people attended and Pope John Paul II presided. The pope personally made him a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor.

Becoming Bishop

In 1995, the bishops elected Monsignor Schnurr the General Secretary of the NCCB/ USCC. He oversaw the overall operation of the Conference, supervised a staff of approximately 350 people, managed an annual budget of $50 million, arranged meetings which brought together the bishops’ conferences of the Western Hemisphere, and participated in the semi-annual visits of the NCCB/USCC president and vice-president with the offices of the Roman Curia.

Archbishop Schnurr was named the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth on Jan. 18, 2001 and ordained bishop April 2, 2001. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati on Oct. 17, 2008. He became Archbishop of Cincinnati on Dec. 21, 2009, when Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of his predecessor, Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk.

Archbishop-Emeritus

Archbishop Schnurr faithfully served the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for 15 years. Pope Francis accepted his resignation on February 12, 2025. He plans to remain in Cincinnati in his retirement, serving the people of the archdiocese in any way he can.

This article appeared in the May 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.