Naming of a new Archbishop for Mobile, Alabama

 

Pope accepts resignation of Archbishop Rodi, names St. Louis auxiliary as successor

written by Gina Christian 

St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso is pictured in a file photo. On July 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Ala., and appointed Bishop Rivituso as his successor. (OSV News photo/Lisa Johnston, courtesy St. Louis Review)

(OSV News) — The Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, will welcome a new shepherd, as Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso of St. Louis as his successor.

The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington July 1 by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S.

Archbishop Rodi, 76, had submitted his resignation to the pope in March 2024 upon reaching his 75th birthday, as required by canon law. 

The archbishop, who has served in his current see for more than 17 years, will continue as apostolic administrator of the Mobile Archdiocese until the installation of Archbishop Rivituso, expected to take place within about two months. The date and location of the installation Mass have not yet been finalized.

Archbishop Rodi hailed the appointment of his successor, saying in a July 1 statement he was “most grateful to the Holy Father for sending us this outstanding bishop.”

The 63-year-old Archbishop Rivituso, a St. Louis native and the sixth of eight children, has ministered extensively throughout that archdiocese and has served as its vicar general since 2011.

A graduate of Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, both in St. Louis, he earned a licentiate in canon and civil law from St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario.

His call to priesthood was an early one, marked by a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, before which he prayed daily while a student at St. Mary’s High School. His family regularly attended Eucharistic Holy Hours and also practiced devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. On Holy Thursday, they paid visits to the Blessed Sacrament at various Catholic churches.

His 1988 priestly ordination in St. Louis foreshadowed a future connection to Mobile: The late Archbishop John L. May, who ordained him, had led the Alabama archdiocese prior to his St. Louis appointment.

Archbishop Rivituso was a confessor for the Little Sisters of the Poor as well as a chaplain for the Veterans Administration in St. Louis. In addition, he has long experience in prison and death-row ministry and has advocated for the end of capital punishment in Missouri.

“The late Pope Francis really taught me about making sure that we’re mindful of those who are on the peripheries,” he said in an interview published July 1 by the St. Louis Review, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. “I feel like that’s always something that’s going to be important in my heart and ministry. The church is so blessed to be involved in the works of compassion, and I think that’s where we truly live what Jesus has called us to do about living his works of mercy.”

What was this Priest thinking? Now married and stripped of his Priesthood

 

Disgraced Alabama priest, 30, who fled to Italy to marry 18-year-old he 'groomed' has his priesthood STRIPPED by Pope Francis at Vatican

A disgraced priest from Alabama has been stripped of his priesthood by the Pope after he fled to Italy and married a teenager.

The Archdiocese of Mobile 'received notice that the laicization of Alex Crow is complete, effective immediately.'

Crow, 30, had previously requested he be removed from the priesthood. The request was recently granted by Pope Francis.

Mobile Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi supported Crow's laicization, which is the process of formally removing a Catholic church figure from service.

Crow no longer possesses any 'privileges or responsibilities of the priesthood.' The former clergyman did not appeal during his removal process.

Crow met his now-wife while she was in high school at McGill-Toolen High in Mobile, where he frequently visited to deliver guest lectures to the students.

The Archdiocese became aware of Crow's questionable courtship when local law enforcement got their hands on Valentine's Day love letters the priest had sent to the teen.

'First things first: I love you, and I thank Jesus for you every day. You have made my life both astronomically more complicated and incredibly better at the same time. You are his gift to me,' read part of his letter to the teen.

Archbishop Rodi condemned the relationship at the time, calling Crow's behavior 'totally unbecoming of a priest.' Among other issues, priests in the Catholic Church are ordered to maintain a state of celibacy.

He then said that the recently ordained clergyman 'may no longer exercise ministry as a priest, nor to tell people he is a priest, nor to dress as a priest.'

Last summer, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said he believes there was 'some grooming that's gone on,' between Crow and his teenage wife. 'You've got a much older adult interacting with teenage girls in an inappropriate way.'

Prior to the sheriff's statement, Crow had fled to Europe with his young lover. He'd told people he was headed across the Atlantic to perform exorcisms across Europe.

Crow has reportedly long had a fascination with demonology.

When the pair returned from abroad, they got married in Alabama.

Crow married the Mobile teen on November 17, according to a notarized Alabama Marriage Certificate from the Judge of Probate's office. 

According to the findings of local law enforcement, Crow, who claims to have been exorcised as a child, had told his lover that Jesus instructed him to leave with her.

Ultimately, the Mobile County District Attorney's Office explained that prosecutors interviewed 30 witnesses and reviewed 'thousands of pages of documents' provided by the Archdiocese but would not seek charges over the 'private relationship between two now-adults.'

'When the young lady and Priest returned, we subpoenaed the young lady to meet with our office to determine what had occurred, and whether there was any criminal action,' read a statement from the office.

'She appeared in seemingly good health and said that she is safe.

'However, she brought an attorney with her to the meeting, and together they declined to answer any questions about the circumstances surrounding her July disappearance, or indeed any other questions.

'Without being able to speak with the young lady about these events, we do not have sufficient admissible evidence to charge a crime at this time. Therefore, this investigation is currently closed.'

Church bosses said they found out he was back through the media as shamed priest had not been in contact with them since his suspension.

'While Crow's behavior has been scandalous, the Archdiocese does not have any information to indicate that Crow has committed any crime,' a statement said.

'To the extent law enforcement is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Crow's behavior, the Archdiocese will continue to cooperate fully.

'If law enforcement has closed their investigation of Crow, the Archdiocese thanks them for their thorough and thoughtful attention to this matter.

'Crow's sudden departure created scandal, hurt, and confusion within the Archdiocese. We continue to pray for God's grace to bring healing to this situation for everyone.'

The couple's return came after a lawyer for the girl's family claimed Crow cut off her contact with them while in Rome.

The lawyer, Christine Hernandez, said that he had 'limited' the girl's communication to the outside world.

She also said other parents reported disturbing instances involving Crow and their children during school and church trips, including claims he paid some students to attend his confessions, where they'd share details of their sins with him.

The defrocked clergy member, who was initially ordained in 2021, previously attended Sant' Anselmo in Rome, Italy where he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and studied demons and exorcisms. 

Priest abandoned his duties, took a teen to Italy and now has married her; SMH

 

US Catholic priest who avoided charges marries teen he fled to Italy with

Alexander Crow, 30, married 18-year-old high school graduate on Friday, according to license filed in Mobile county, Alabama

A Roman Catholic priest in Alabama who was investigated by law enforcement after fleeing to Europe with a recent high school graduate he met through his ministry legally married her after he returned to the US with her, a document provided to the Guardian showed.

Ohio priest who sex-trafficked boys he met in preschool given life sentence

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According to a marriage license filed in Mobile county, Alabama, Alexander Crow, 30, married the 18-year-old former McGill-Toolen Catholic high school student on Friday.

In late July, Crow – an expert in the theological study of demons and exorcism – had his clerical duties removed by the Catholic archdiocese of Mobile, after going to Italy with the teen and indicating he would never return to the US.

The archdiocese told him he “abandoned his assignment” and was accused of behavior “totally unbecoming of a priest”.

Though the archdiocese did not elaborate, priests take a vow of celibacy and amid a worldwide, decades-old clerical molestation scandal, Catholic officials have implemented guidelines meant to establish boundaries between clergymen and vulnerable adults.

The parents of the teen – who attended McGill-Toolen while Crow volunteered there – were not aware she was going to Italy with him.

The Mobile county sheriff’s office reviewed allegations that Crow engaged in sexual misconduct and groomed multiple girls at McGill-Toolen. However, on 7 November a Mobile TV station, WKRG, published a statement from the local district attorney saying prosecutors would not pursue charges.

The statement said that after being summoned to meet with investigators through a subpoena, the teen “declined to answer any questions” about her trip with Crow.

“She appeared in seemingly good health and said that she is safe,” the statement said. “Without being able to speak with the young lady about these events, we do not have sufficient admissible evidence to charge a crime at this point. Therefore, this investigation is currently closed.”

Investigators found a letter Crow sent to the girl on Valentine’s Day, when she was still 17. The missive expressed strong love and declared they were already married. But the marriage license filed jointly in their names in Mobile listed the wedding date as Friday.

The document, which prominently lists Alabama’s minimum age of marriage as 16, affirms: “Each of us is entering into the marriage voluntarily and of our own free will and not under duress or undue influence.”

Attempts to contact Crow, the girl or their families were not immediately successful.

The Mobile archbishop, Thomas Rodi, has said he intends to seek Crow’s permanent removal from the clergy, an extremely rare measure not often used against clergymen charged or even convicted of crimes.

The process, controlled by church law, would not start until the beginning of next year, WKRG has reported.

Rodi was a high-ranking official in nearby New Orleans in 2000, when that archdiocese included him on a letter reinstating a priest who had gone on sabbatical after admitting sexually molesting or harassing multiple children.

That priest, Lawrence Hecker, has not faced expulsion from the clergy. He retired quietly in 2002 but was recently indicted on charges of child rape, kidnapping and other crimes.

Rodi has repeatedly rebuffed insinuations that the Mobile archdiocese was slow or reluctant to cooperate in the investigation of Crow.

Prayers for the Archbishop of Mobile

 

Catholic archbishop for south Alabama positive for COVID-19

October 5, 2021

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The top Roman Catholic church official for south Alabama, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, tested positive for COVID-19 and is quarantining at home, the church said Tuesday.

While Rodi’s flu-like symptoms were mild, everyone who came in close contact with him has been notified, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Mobile. The church’s main downtown office was closed.

Rodi, who is fully vaccinated and tested positive on Monday, canceled all appearances and won’t resume public appearances until he is cleared by a doctor, the statement said.

The Archdiocese includes the lower 28 counties in Alabama.

Pope Francis sends condolences to tornado victims in Alabma

US: Holy Father Sends Condolences to Victims of Alabama Tornado

At Least 23 Killed, Many Injured and Missing

March 06, 2019 16:04ZENIT StaffNatural and human disasters

The following is the telegram of condolences for the victims of the tornado in recent days in Alabama, United States of America, sent March 6, 2019, on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the archbishop of Mobile, H.E. Msgr. Thomas John Rodi:

Telegram

The Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi
Archbishop of Mobile

Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and the injuries caused by the tornado which struck Alabama in recent days, His Holiness Pope Francis expresses heartfelt solidarity with all affected by this natural disaster. He prays that Almighty God may grant eternal rest to the dead, especially the children, and healing and consolation to the injured and those who grieve. Upon all who are suffering the effects of this calamity, the Holy Father invokes the Lord’s blessings of peace and strength.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

Every Catholic, and all people of good will, should really carefully read this article

In light of last week's Supreme Court rulings, the nearly universal praise of said rulings by the secular media, not to mention the idolizing of Texas Senator Wendy Davis who is a hero in the eyes of the secular realm because she wants babies killed after 20 weeks in the womb which has led to the demonstration this week of pro-aborts chanting: "Hail Satan", this is a must read.  Please read the article at the link below very carefully and thoroughly:

http://www.stpeterslist.com/11327/12-catholic-quotes-in-response-to-the-scotus-rulings-on-doma-and-prop-8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+StPetersList+(St.+Peter's+List)

Pray for the peace of America.

Miscellaneous Monday Musings by one reflective Deacon

Summer time rages on here in the deep south, even though the calendar says it's just a few days old.  Don't tell that to us here in southeast Louisiana.  Not that I need additional reasons to dislike summer but man it sure has been wet; both rainy and uncomfortable high humidity.  Tonight, as I arrived home from work, my intent was to cut even more grass.  Alas, the conditions don't seem good  to be driving a heavy tractor across the lawn and pasture.  So I find myself inside on this Monday night, no grass to cut and an evening free from any ministry appointments.

Being this is a Monday, I took note this morning that more than a handful of my deacon buddies on Facebook went to great lengths to post happy Monday thoughts.  It is very common for the vast majority of us, especially the working stiffs, to have a bad attitude towards our Mondays.  Ironically, we would all be on Facebook just days earlier praising our Fridays, Saturdays and glorious Sundays.  The impact on me, from these uplifting posts this morning, was to contemplate the gift of Monday and the responsibility to see Monday as another day that is pure gift from God.  I need to apply the same attitude to summer as a season for summer too is pure gift from God.  So tonight I hope with some confidence that I can pray that all had a beautiful Monday!

 Over the past few days I have really been enjoying the ordination Mass, then the Masses of Thanksgiving, for the two newly ordained Priests affiliated with EWTN.  I so enjoyed the ordination on TV that I plan to lobby our Archdiocese to televise these awesome celebrations.  Today's Mass featured the preaching of Deacon Chase Hilgenbrinck, a good friend of the newly ordained Priest, who is well known because he gave up a lucrative professional soccer career to follow God's will and become a Priest.  I plan on providing a link later on tonight to read up on his story!

Also, over the past few days, I have been concerned, yet not discouraged, about the continuing attacks on Catholicism in our every increasing secular society.  I posted about the recent comments by former President Carter; utterly disgusting and remarkably uninformed.  This week we will see more anti-Catholic venom whenever the Supreme Court rules on the two marriage cases before them.  Whether the outcome affirms God's designed plan for man or caves to the whims of the times, count on a good dose of anti-Catholic commentary.

You know, forces of this world and the common culture, is not new to the Church.  Even with the modern day attacks, the insults over our affirming the truth as it pertains to things like marriage, women ordination and the like, the Church cannot compromise and, in the end She cannot lose.  I guess the real question is how firm can our resolve be in an ever loud and noisy opposition to God's plan.  Even worse, I find the weak-kneed Catholics, many CINO, who are all too eager to side with the prince of this world over the King of Kings.  I do notice, however, that my main emotion these days is not anger, or even a need to lash out at the critics of holy Mother Church, but rather extreme disappointment and maybe even sadness that so many of Her sons & daughters can be so easily deceived.

Yesterday brought an opportunity, as a Deacon, to be at a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of our diocese.  Our parish neighbors to the south at Mary Queen of Peace Parish were celebrating their 25th anniversary.  They indeed have much to celebrate as this parish has grown to huge numbers and more importantly huge ministry accomplishments in His Name!!  It was an honor to be there, along with about a dozen other Deacons, about 24 Priests and 2 Archbishops, Aymond of New Orleans and Rodi from Mobile.

So tonight, I am preparing for Monday dinner and a terrific Tuesday!  And I won't even let summer get me down!!

Bishops suing the state of Alabama!

Mobile Archbishop Thomas Rodi, formerly of New Orleans, sues to block Alabama immigration law

Published: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 5:25 PM     Updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 5:28 PM

By Bruce Nolan, The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune

Mobile Archbishop Thomas Rodi, a New Orleans native who served here until 2001, is one of four Alabama bishops who sued to temporarily block that state's tough new immigration law. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Blackburn on Monday blocked enforcement of the law until Sept. 29 at the latest.

Mobile Archbishop Thomas Rodi

Rodi, with Birmingham Catholic Bishop Robert J. Baker, Episcopal Alabama Bishop Henry N. Parsley Jr. and United Methodist Bishop William Willimon, all sued to block enforcement of the new law.

Supporters and opponents agree the new law seeks to be the toughest in the nation
Among other things, it requires schools to report the status of students, makes it illegal to give a ride to an illegal immigrant, rent to an illegal immigrant, or "encourage" an illegal immigrant to live in Alabama.
Rodi and the other bishops sued on grounds the law interferes with the practice of their religion and criminalizes charitable behavior.

Rodi told Mobile Catholics on their archdiocesan web site that, broadly interpreted, the "law prohibits almost everything which would assist an undocumented immigrant or encourage an undocumented immigrant to live in Alabama."

He said that would include providing counseling, food for the poor, administering sacraments, teaching English and providing other ministries.

In addition to the bishops, the Department of Justice, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center also sued to block enforcement of the law.

Rodi, a graduate of De La Salle, Georgetown, and Tulane University Law school, served as a priest in New Orleans until 2001, when he was named bishop of Biloxi.
He became archbishop of Mobile in 2008.