Dennis Marion Schnurr

{{Infobox Christian leader

| type = Archbishop

| honorific-prefix = The Most Reverend

| name = Dennis Marion Schnurr

| honorific-suffix =

| title = Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Cincinnati

| image = Dennis Marion Schnurr.png

| caption = Archbishop Schnurr

| archdiocese = Cincinnati

| diocese =

| see =

| appointed = October 17, 2008 (Coadjutor)

| term_start = December 21, 2009

| retired = February 12, 2025

| predecessor = Daniel Edward Pilarczyk

| successor = Robert Gerald Casey

| ordination = July 20, 1974

| ordained_by = Frank Henry Greteman

| consecration = April 2, 2001

| consecrated_by = Harry Joseph Flynn, Gabriel Montalvo Higuera, and Lawrence Donald Soens

| cardinal =

| rank =

| previous_post = {{bulleted list| Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati (2008-2009) | Bishop of Duluth (2001-2008) }}

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|6|21}}

| birth_place = Sheldon, Iowa, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| buried =

| religion = Roman Catholic

| residence =

| parents =

| alma_mater =

| signature =

| coat_of_arms =

| motto = "Quaerite faciem Domini"
(Seek the face of the Lord)

}}

{{Infobox bishopstyles

| name= Dennis Marion Schnurr

| dipstyle=

| offstyle=Your Excellency

| relstyle=Archbishop

| image = Coat of arms of Dennis Marion Schnurr.svg

| image_size = 200px

}}

{{Ordination

| consecrated by = Harry Joseph Flynn (St Paul & Minn.)

| date of consecration = April 2, 2001

| bishop 1 = Joseph R. Binzer

| consecration date 1 = June 9, 2011

| bishop 2 = Jeffrey Marc Monforton

| consecration date 2 = September 10, 2012

| bishop 3 = David J. Bonnar

| consecration date 3 = January 12, 2021

| bishop 4 = Earl K. Fernandes

| consecration date 4 = May 31, 2022

}}

Dennis Marion Schnurr (born June 21, 1948) is an American Catholic prelate who served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Cincinnati in Ohio from 2009 to 2025. He was Bishop of Duluth in Minnesota from 2001 to 2009.

Biography

=Early life and education=

Dennis Schnurr was born on June 21, 1948, in Sheldon, Iowa, to Edward and Eleanor (née Jungers) Schnurr. One of six children, he has two brothers and three sisters. Raised in Hospers, Iowa, he attended Spalding Catholic High School in Granville, Iowa, before entering Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Schnurr graduated from Loras with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. He then went to Rome, where he earned a Master of Theology degree in 1974 from the Pontifical Gregorian University.{{cite news|last1=Fox|first1=Joanne|title=Hospers native Archbishop of Cincinnati|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/hospers-native-archbishop-of-cincinnati/article_78585d49-2877-5329-9ab8-4766e5877f25.html|access-date=July 1, 2014|publisher=Sioux City Journal|date=December 26, 2009}}

=Ordination and ministry=

Schnurr was ordained to the priesthood at St. Anthony Church in Hospers, Iowa, by Bishop Frank Greteman on July 20, 1974, for the Diocese of Sioux City.{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bschnurr|Archbishop Dennis Marion Schnurr|January 21, 2015}}

After his 1974 ordination, the diocese assigned Schnurr as an associate pastor at the Cathedral of the Epiphany Parish and Blessed Sacrament Parish, both in Sioux City, Iowa, for the next three years.

In 1977, Schnurr went to Washington, D.C. to study at the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law, receiving a Doctorate of Canon Law in 1980. After his graduation, he returned to Sioux City, where Bishop Frank Henry Greteman appointed him vice-chancellor of the diocese. Greteman also named Schnurr as the diocesan finance officer and as a judge on the diocesan tribunal. In 1981, Schnurr became chancellor and secretary of the presbyteral council.{{Cite web|title=Our Shepherd and His Archdiocese|url=https://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/ou|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413094847/https://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/ou|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 13, 2020|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains}}

In 1985, Schnurr left Sioux City to serve on the staff of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C.{{cite web |url=https://catholicaoc.org/about/archbishop-schnurr |title=Archbishop Schnurr - Archdiocese of Cincinnati |work=Archdiocese of Cincinnati |access-date=October 6, 2021}} He was appointed as associate general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 1989. During his tenure in this position, he supervised departments dealing with education, domestic and international social policy, and communications. Schnurr organized the 1993 World Youth Day, held in Denver, Colorado.{{Cite news |last=Ho |first=Dan |date=October 18, 2008 |title=Duluth's bishop to lead Catholics |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |id={{ProQuest|237640007}}}} He was raised by the Vatican to the rank of prelate of honor in 1993 and elected general secretary of the USCCB in 1994.

=Bishop of Duluth=

On January 18, 2001, Schnurr was appointed as the eighth bishop of Duluth by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on April 2, 2001, from Archbishop Harry Flynn, with Archbishop Gabriel Higuera and Bishop Lawrence Soens serving as co-consecrators. Schnurr selected as his episcopal motto: Quaerite faciem Domini, meaning, "Seek the face of the Lord" from Psalms 105:4.

=Coadjutor and archbishop of Cincinnati=

Schnurr was named coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati by Pope Benedict XVI on October 17, 2008. As coadjutor, Schnurr automatically succeeded Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk when he retired on December 21, 2009.

In 2010, Schnurr revoked permission for a "Violence Against Women" event at Seton High School, a Catholic school in Cincinnati, because one of the speakers supported abortion rights for women. The sponsors disinvited the speaker, but the archdiocese still denied its support for the event.{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2010 |title=Cincinnati bishop among sponsors to pull support from women's conference |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/global-sisters-report/cincinnati-bishop-among-sponsors-pull-support-womens-conference |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=National Catholic Reporter |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814010035/https://www.ncronline.org/news/global-sisters-report/cincinnati-bishop-among-sponsors-pull-support-womens-conference |url-status=dead }}

In November 2018, Schnurr expressed "enormous disappointment" at a Vatican request for the USCCB to delay a vote on tightening procedures for sexual abuses case. The Vatican said it wanted to consider a global response first.{{Cite web|last=Garbe|first=Will|title=Cincy archbishop 'stunned' by Vatican request to delay sex abuse vote|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/cincy-archbishop-stunned-vatican-request-delay-sex-abuse-vote/x2l9wZk6GHknvvjdCzcoLI/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=dayton-daily-news}}

In August 2019, Schnurr removed Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Binzer from his position as the head of priest personnel for the archdiocese. Reverend Geoff Drew, a priest in St. Jude Parish, had raped a 10-year-old boy between 1988 and 1991. After learning about these allegations, Binzer failed to report them to the archbishop or other officials in the archdiocese. Binzer resigned as auxiliary bishop in May 2020.{{Cite web|last=CNA|title=Former auxiliary bishop who mishandled abuse reports named pastor in Cincinnati|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247266/former-auxiliary-bishop-who-mishandled-reports-of-misconduct-named-pastor-in-cincinnati-archdiocese|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Catholic News Agency}}{{Cite web|date=August 23, 2019|title=St. Max mom took Cincy archbishop to task about priest's 'red flags' a year before rape accusations surfaced|url=https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/i-team/father-geoff-drew-red-flags-letter-dennis-schnur|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=WCPO}}

In May 2020, Schnurr decided not to renew the contract of Jim Zimmerman, a teacher at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, because he was part of a same-sex marriage. A teacher at the school for 23 years, Zimmerman was open about his marriage with school officials, other faculty and students. According to Zimmerman, his principal told him that a community member had alerted Schnurr about the marriage. Zimmerman's supporters at Alter High School and in Kettering accused Schnurr of homophobia, which he strongly denied.{{Cite web|last=Horn|first=Dan|title=Cincinnati's archbishop defends firing of Catholic high school teacher who is gay|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/05/01/catholic-teacher-fired-supporters-say-he-removed-because-he-gay/3066855001/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=The Enquirer}}{{Cite web|title=Gay teacher ousted from Catholic school after 23 years|url=https://www.sent-trib.com/news/gay-teacher-ousted-from-catholic-school-after-23-years/article_e9d6ca90-8f0e-11ea-94e7-c700187d8ada.html|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Sentinel-Tribune|archive-date=December 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226165259/https://www.sent-trib.com/news/gay-teacher-ousted-from-catholic-school-after-23-years/article_e9d6ca90-8f0e-11ea-94e7-c700187d8ada.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=May 8, 2020|title=Ohio teacher in same-sex marriage loses Catholic high school job|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/ohio-teacher-same-sex-marriage-loses-catholic-high-school-job|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=National Catholic Reporter}}

In July 2021, Schnurr said that he disapproved of a town hall being held by US President Joe Biden at Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, but admitted he had no power to block it. Schnurr did not explain his reasoning.{{Cite web|last=CNA|title=Archbishop: I would not have approved Biden's visit to Catholic university|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248441/cincinnati-archbishop-i-would-not-have-approved-bidens-visit-to-catholic-university|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=Catholic News Agency|date=July 20, 2021}} Schnurr said that he would have never approved this event on archdiocese property.{{Cite web |last=CNA |title=Archbishop: I would not have approved Biden's visit to Catholic university |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248441/cincinnati-archbishop-i-would-not-have-approved-bidens-visit-to-catholic-university |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=Catholic News Agency}}

In October 2021, Schnurr presented a restructuring plan for the archdiocese that could close 70% of its parishes.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=Schnurr gets started |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/schnurr-gets-started |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=The Pillar |language=en}}

In October 2024, Schnurr announced the severing of a 110-year partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. Schnurr stated that recent changes by the national organization did not align with Catholic teaching on sexuality and gender identity.{{Cite web |last= |title=Cincinnati Archdiocese to cut ties with the Girl Scouts due to moral differences |url=https://www.fox19.com/2024/10/29/archdiocese-cincinnati-cut-ties-with-girl-scouts-due-differences-sexuality-gender |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Fox 19 WXIX |date=October 29, 2024 |language=en}}

= Retirement and legacy =

On February 12, 2025, Pope Francis accepted Schnurr's resignation as Archbishop of Cincinnati and named Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Robert G. Casey to succeed him.{{cite web|url=https://catholicaoc.org/archbishop|title=Pope Francis Appoints Chicago’s Auxilary Bishop Casey As Archbishop Of Cincinnati|publisher=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati|date=February 12, 2025|accessdate=February 12, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.fox19.com/2025/02/12/archbishop-cincinnati-resigns-pope-francis-appoints-successor/|title=Archbishop of Cincinnati resigns; Pope Francis appoints successor|first=Mary|last=LeBus|publisher=WXIX|date=February 12, 2025|accessdate=February 12, 2025}}

Schnurr was diagnosed in May 2024 with stage 3 small bowel cancer and immediately began chemotherapy.{{Cite web |last= |title=Cincinnati archbishop diagnosed with cancer, will begin chemotherapy |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257619/cincinnati-archbishop-diagnosed-with-cancer-will-begin-chemotherapy-treatment |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}} He later underwent back surgery following a fall.{{cite news |last=Lavenburg |first=John |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Pope Francis replaces Archbishop Schnurr in Cincinnati, makes two other appointments |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2025/02/pope-francis-replaces-schnurr-in-cincinnati-makes-two-other-appointments |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=Crux}} On February 19, 2025, Schnurr was scheduled to appear at the Andrew Dinner at St. Mary's Church in Hyde Park, Cincinnati,{{Cite web |last=Telegraph |first=The Catholic |date=2025-02-02 |title=Andrew Dinners |url=https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/andrew-dinners/98872 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Catholic Telegraph |language=en-US}} but was not able to come due to his back surgery.

Viewpoints

= Abortion =

Schnurr in August 2023 urged Ohio Catholics to reject the Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety ballot measure, which would have enshrined abortion rights for women in the Ohio State Constitution. He claimed that the measure would allow doctors to “take the lives of innocent children in the womb while harming women and families in the process.”{{Cite web |last= |title=Cincinnati archbishop urges Catholics to reject state abortion amendment in November |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255086/cincinnati-archbishop-urges-catholics-to-reject-state-abortion-amendment-in-november |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}} Voters approved the amendment by a large margin in November 2023.{{Cite web |last= |title=Ohio voters overwhelmingly approve amendment enshrining abortion in state constitution |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255937/ohio-voters-overwhelmingly-approve-amendment-enshrining-abortion-in-state-constitution |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}

= Immigration =

In January 2017, Schnurr expressed his opposition to the refugee ban on people from certain Muslim majority nations that was enacted by the Trump administration. Schnurr said that refugees had a right to seek a safe place for themselves and their families.{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Dan |title=Archbishop: Refugees need 'special path' |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/31/archbishop-refugees-need-special-path/97280402/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=The Enquirer}}

= Same sex marriage =

In June 2015, Schnurr expressed his disapproval of the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.{{Cite web |last=Telegraph |first=The Catholic |title=Archbishop Schnurr reacts to SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/archbishop-schnurr-reacts-to-scotus-ruling/25571 |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=Catholic Telegraph|date=June 26, 2015 }} In an official statement, he explained that the court's decision "disregarded not only the clearly expressed will of the electorate in Ohio and other states," but that is had undermined a notion of matrimony "shared by virtually all cultures" until the very recent past.

= Sexuality =

In February 2015, Schnurr condemned the 2015 film Fifty Shades of Grey, calling it an attack on marriage, and asked Catholics to boycott it.{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Sharon Coolidge and Dan |title=Archbishop calls boycott: '50 Shades' attacks marriage |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/02/11/archibishop-calls-50-shades-an-attack-on-marriage/23219231/ |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=USA Today}}

Schnurr in April 2018 persuaded the administration of Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital in Batavia, Ohio, to stop the distribution of condoms at their facility. The Hamilton County Public Health Harm Reduction Program, which was hosting a needle exchange program in the hospital parking lot, had also been providing condoms to participants to promote safe sex.{{Cite web |last= |title=Condom distribution at Catholic hospital stops after Cincinnati archdiocese speaks up |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/38167/condom-distribution-at-catholic-hospital-stops-after-cincinnati-archdiocese-speaks-up |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}