Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama Releases Statement on Fr. Alex Crow who Fled the Country with an 18-Year-Old Woman
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A priest from Alabama, USA, has been removed from ministry by his bishop. This was after he abandoned his parish to travel to Italy with an 18-year-old woman, to whom he described himself as "married" in a Valentine's Day letter:
"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," Father Alex Crow wrote in a letter released by the Mobile County Sheriff's Office. "Now, we are in love and we are married! I've never been in love before (and I've never been married, obviously!), and I've never felt any of the feelings I have for you for anyone ever in my entire life. I promise that I will love you the absolute best I can, every single day."
Alex Crow, age 30, and the unnamed woman are believed to have left Mobile, Alabama, on July 24th.
Father Crow had been a parochial vicar at Corpus Christi Parish in Mobile and left behind a letter to the Archdiocese of Mobile that he would never return to the United States, according to the sheriff's office. The handwritten letter to the 2023 high school graduate shows that the priest planned for the couple to be in Italy together "with our family" and have "many wonderful and normal Valentine's Days."
The Archdiocese Released this Q and A on the situation on Aug. 17: Source: https://mobarch.org/news/questions-and-answers-about-alex-crow-and-the-laicization-process
What has Archbishop Rodi done regarding Alex Crow? When it became clear that Alex Crow had intended to abandon his assignment, Archbishop Rodi removed the faculties of Alex Crow. He has also ordered him, under his promise of obedience, to return home immediately.
What has Archbishop Rodi done regarding Alex Crow? When it became clear that Alex Crow had intended to abandon his assignment, Archbishop Rodi removed the faculties of Alex Crow. He has also ordered him, under his promise of obedience, to return home immediately.
What does it mean that his faculties have been removed? A faculty is the priest’s ability to function publicly as a priest. So that means Alex Crow is not able to function as a priest publicly. He cannot preach, publicly say Mass, do weddings or funerals, or even hear confessions, except if a person is in danger of death.
Was he defrocked? Defrocking is not a term of canon law.
What is canon law? Canon law is the law of the Church that developed over the Church’s 2000-year history. This law is for the Church and especially for ministers of the Church. It is not in conflict or competition with the civil laws of the state or country. It is mostly found in a book called The Code of Canon Law. Canon law seeks to restore justice and repair scandal.
What can happen next with canon law and Alex Crow? There is a process called laicization or dismissal from the clerical state.
Can Archbishop Rodi do this process himself? The simple answer is no. He has to assemble a panel of three priests who examine what happened. These three priests would be impartial and objective experts in canon law. This process can start six months after when Alex abandoned his assignment.
Why does it take so long? Canon law ensures that the rights of all parties are respected. The process also gives time for all the facts to be established. Finally, the process also gives everyone who needs to speak a chance to be heard.
Is Archbishop Rodi planning to pursue the dismissal of Alex Crow from the priesthood? Yes.
McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Statement:
An important message from Principal Michelle Haas and President Fr. Bry Shields:
We were all stunned by the recent news regarding Alex Crow. Contrary to what was reported, Mr. Crow was never employed by McGill-Toolen CHS. We welcome our priests to visit Theology classes and hear confessions when they can. Mr. Crow did visit some Theology classrooms, and hear confessions during the period, September through December 2021. He also celebrated one school Mass that year. He has not chaperoned any school trips or retreats. We will continue to pray for the families involved and are looking forward to the start of another great year.
Was he defrocked? Defrocking is not a term of canon law.
What is canon law? Canon law is the law of the Church that developed over the Church’s 2000-year history. This law is for the Church and especially for ministers of the Church. It is not in conflict or competition with the civil laws of the state or country. It is mostly found in a book called The Code of Canon Law. Canon law seeks to restore justice and repair scandal.
What can happen next with canon law and Alex Crow? There is a process called laicization or dismissal from the clerical state.
Can Archbishop Rodi do this process himself? The simple answer is no. He has to assemble a panel of three priests who examine what happened. These three priests would be impartial and objective experts in canon law. This process can start six months after when Alex abandoned his assignment.
Why does it take so long? Canon law ensures that the rights of all parties are respected. The process also gives time for all the facts to be established. Finally, the process also gives everyone who needs to speak a chance to be heard.
Is Archbishop Rodi planning to pursue the dismissal of Alex Crow from the priesthood? Yes.
McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Statement:
An important message from Principal Michelle Haas and President Fr. Bry Shields:
We were all stunned by the recent news regarding Alex Crow. Contrary to what was reported, Mr. Crow was never employed by McGill-Toolen CHS. We welcome our priests to visit Theology classes and hear confessions when they can. Mr. Crow did visit some Theology classrooms, and hear confessions during the period, September through December 2021. He also celebrated one school Mass that year. He has not chaperoned any school trips or retreats. We will continue to pray for the families involved and are looking forward to the start of another great year.
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