Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr on Wednesday and named Auxiliary Bishop Robert Casey of Chicago as his replacement.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, made the announcement on Wednesday morning, Feb. 12.
Archbishop Schnurr, 76, has led the Archdiocese since 2009 and served a year past the mandatory retirement age for bishops of 75. Bishop Casey, 57, will become the 11th archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati when he is installed at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at a date to be determined.
Archbishop-designate Casey has spent his entire career in the Archdiocese of Chicago after his ordination to the priesthood in 1994. In 2018, he was ordained as a bishop by Archbishop Blasé Cupich in Chicago.
“Entrusted with proclaiming the joy of the gospel, I answer the call of Christ to accompany all in the archdiocese on the journey of faith, so that together we may deepen our love for God and neighbor,” Archbishop-designate Casey said in an announcement from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
As required by Canon Law, Archbishop Schnurr had submitted his resignation to the Holy See on June 21, 2023, when he turned 75. He came to Cincinnati after serving as the Bishop of Duluth, Minnesota, from 2001 to 2008. An Iowa native, he was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, in 1974.
“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati these past 15 years,” Archbishop Schnurr said in an announcement from the archdiocese. “Now, on behalf of the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, it is a great joy to welcome Archbishop-designate Robert Casey to his new home.”
Bishop Earl Fernandes, who served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, was ordained and installed by Archbishop Schnurr as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on May 31, 2022.
“On behalf of the clergy and faithful in the Diocese of Columbus, I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey, who has been appointed by the Holy Father as the Archbishop of Cincinnati,” Bishop Fernandes said in a statement. “Archbishop-designate Casey has served the faithful in the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than 30 years and has shown a particular interest in the Hispanic community. Knowing him to have a shepherd’s heart and a pastor’s sensitivity, I am confident that he will be a true blessing to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, which is so dear to my heart.
“Archbishop Casey inherits the patrimony of this historic Archdiocese, and I am confident that under his leadership, the seeds of faith planted by his predecessors and the People of God there, will blossom and the Church will flourish.
“I also want to thank Archbishop Schnurr for his years of dedication, service, leadership, prayer, and discipleship for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and throughout the state of Ohio. His leadership at the USCCB, his organization of World Youth Day, his financial acumen, and his commitment to fostering a culture of vocations are but a fraction of his contributions to the life of the Church. I wish him well as he enters retirement, grateful for his friendship and witness.
“The families, parishes, schools, social service agencies, and other ministries within the Archdiocese will be well tended by Archbishop Casey. I look forward to collaborating with Archbishop-designate Casey as he strengthens the bonds of communion among the Dioceses in Ohio and leads the Catholic Conference of Ohio.”
Archbishop Schnurr will continue to serve as the archdiocese’s apostolic administrator to provide governance until Archbishop-designate Casey’s installation.
“Archbishop-designate Casey is highly regarded by the people and priests he serves,” Archbishop Schnurr said, “and I am pleased such a good man will be shepherding the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.”
Archbishop Schnurr said he plans to remain in Cincinnati during his retirement to assist his replacement as needed.
“I am confident that he will find the local Church to be very welcoming and dedicated to the evangelization of our communities,” Archbishop Schnurr said.
Archbishop-designate Casey, who is fluent in Spanish, entered Niles College Seminary after high school and graduated from University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before he ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1994,
His assignments have included associate pastor at Chicago St. Ita Parish; as director of Casa Jesús, a house of discernment for men from Latin America; and as pastor of Our Lady of Tepeyac, St. Barbara and St. Bede the Venerable parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He also served on the priests’ placement board and the priest steering committee for Renew My Church.
He was appointed vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago on Sept. 12, 2020.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio welcomed Archbishop-designate Casey and paid tribute to Archbishop Schnurr for his service. The Archbishop of Cincinnati serves as chair of the Catholic Conference of Ohio board of directors, which governs its operations and activities.
“We congratulate Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey on his appointment as Archbishop of Cincinnati,” said Brian Hickey, executive director of the conference.
“We are grateful for Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr’s steady leadership and pastoral guidance in Ohio over the past 16-plus years. Archbishop Schnurr’s love for Jesus Christ was evident nationally and in Ohio through his tireless governance and unwavering support for the poor and vulnerable in all times and seasons. The Catholic Conference of Ohio will miss Archbishop Schnurr’s guidance, but we wish him abundant joy and peace in retirement.”