Thomas John Rodi

Thomas John Rodi (born March 27, 1949) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the current Archbishop of Mobile, having previously served as Bishop of Biloxi from 2001 to 2008.[1]

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Thomas John Rodi
Archbishop of Mobile
ArchdioceseMobile
AppointedApril 2, 2008
InstalledJune 6, 2008
PredecessorOscar Hugh Lipscomb
Orders
OrdinationMay 20, 1978
ConsecrationJuly 2, 2001
by Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, Francis B. Schulte, and Joseph Lawson Howze
Personal details
Born (1949-03-27) March 27, 1949
New Orleans, Louisiana
Previous post(s)Bishop of Biloxi (2001–2008)
MottoCARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS
Styles of
Thomas John Rodi
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop
Ordination history of
Thomas John Rodi
History
Priestly ordination
DateMay 20, 1978
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorOscar Hugh Lipscomb
Co-consecratorsFrancis B. Schulte,
Joseph Lawson Howze
DateJuly 2, 2001

Biography

Thomas Rodi was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from De La Salle High School in 1967. He then attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. Upon his return to New Orleans, Rodi earned a law degree from Tulane University Law School in 1974, and entered Notre Dame Seminary, there receiving his Master's in Divinity in 1978. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1978, and then served as associate pastor at St. Ann Parish in Metairie and at St. Christopher the Martyr Parish in Jefferson.

He became a judge for the metropolitan tribunal in 1983, and earned his licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in 1986. Rodi then taught canon law at his alma mater of Notre Dame Seminary until 1995, as well as serving as director of the Office of Religious Education from 1988 to 1989, and of the Department of Pastoral Services from 1989 to 1996. In addition to his other duties, he was named Chancellor (1992) and vicar general and curial moderator (1996) of New Orleans. Rodi was also raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1992, and was administrator of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in River Ridge, ministered in Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Pius X parishes in New Orleans, and was pastor of St. Rita Parish in New Orleans.

Bishop of Biloxi

On May 15, 2001, Rodi was appointed the second Bishop of Biloxi, Mississippi, by Pope John Paul II. He received episcopal consecration on the following July 2 from Archbishop Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, with Archbishop Francis Schulte and Bishop Joseph Howze serving as co-consecrators. Rodi selected as his episcopal motto: Caritas Christi Urget Nos (2 Cor 5:14), meaning, "The love of Christ compels us."

Archbishop of Mobile

Pope Benedict XVI later named Rodi the second Archbishop of Mobile on April 2, 2008, replacing longtime incumbent Oscar Hugh Lipscomb. He was formally installed as Archbishop on June 6 of that year.

Politics

Regarding the 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden, Rodi said, "It is also the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of the first Catholic president, President Kennedy, it was 60 years today. So by coincidence, it is very meaningful we have the second time a man who professes to be Catholic be inaugurated as president."[2]

See also

References
  1. Raphael, Ph.D., Rev. Mark S. (2016). A Southern Catholic Legacy: Notre Dame Seminary In New Orleans, Louisiana. Lulu Publishing Services. p. 423. ISBN 9781483449678. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  2. Schleisman, Nicolette (January 20, 2021). "Catholics in Mobile react to President Biden's inauguration". CBS. Retrieved April 10, 2021.

Episcopal succession
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