MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — A little more than two years ago, as the nation was reeling from the COVID pandemic, Archbishop Thomas Rodi welcomed a new priest to the Catholic church and especially to those parishioners at Corpus Christi Church in Mobile, Alabama.
"As you lay on the floor in front of the altar," Archbishop Rodi said, "know that the prayers of the people are washing over you, asking God to guide and strengthen you in your ordained ministry of word, worship and service."
The archbishop then added, "I suspect your years of ministry will be, if nothing else, interesting."
According to the district attorney's office, the priest, 22-year-old Alex Crow, and a recent female graduate of Mobile's McGill-Toolin High School took a trip together outside of the country.
"Father Alex Crow abandoned his assignment in the archdiocese," said Rodi. "His behavior is totally unbecoming of a priest. He has been informed by the archbishop that he may no longer exercise ministry as a priest, nor to tell people he is a priest, nor to dress as a priest."
Rodi's statement finished with an unusual admission.
"In addition," he said, "due to the circumstances of his departure, we have reported this to the district attorney."
“The district attorney's office is aware of the situation provided to us by the archdiocese of Mobile involving a local priest," said Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood in a statement. "At this time, we are awaiting more facts and encourage anyone with information to contact the DA's office.”
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