Oscar Hugh Lipscomb
Encyclopedia
Oscar Hugh Lipscomb is the retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Mobile, Alabama
. Lipscomb's retirement was accepted by the Holy See
April 2, 2008.
He was the first Archbishop of Mobile
and its eighth bishop. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham
on July 15, 1956, at the Basilica dei Santi Apostoli in Rome. He was appointed Archbishop of Mobile
on July 29, 1980,and consecrated on November 16, 1980, by his predecessor, Archbishop John Lawrence May
. The Diocese of Mobile was elevated to the Archdiocese of Mobile on the date Lipscomb was appointed its first archbishop.
He attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
in Mobile, then known as McGill Institute, where today an athletic complex is named in his honor. After graduating from McGill in 1949, he entered St. Bernard Junior Seminary and College
, in Cullman, Alabama
. In 1951, he entered the Pontifical North American College
Seminary in Rome, and was there until his ordination in 1956. He acquired an M.A.
degree in History, in 1960, and a Ph.D.
degree in History from Catholic University of America (CUA), in 1963.
Lipscomb served as a parish priest in Mobile and as an educator at McGill Institute
and Spring Hill College
. He was appointed chancellor
of the Mobile archdiocese in 1966, and served in that capacity until he was appointed Archbishop of Mobile in 1980.
Lipscomb is a member of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
The Archdiocese of Mobile is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the lower 28 counties of Alabama. It is the metropolitan seat of the Province of Mobile, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of the Diocese of Biloxi, the Diocese of Jackson, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
. Lipscomb's retirement was accepted by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
April 2, 2008.
He was the first Archbishop of Mobile
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
The Archdiocese of Mobile is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the lower 28 counties of Alabama. It is the metropolitan seat of the Province of Mobile, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of the Diocese of Biloxi, the Diocese of Jackson, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
and its eighth bishop. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
The Archdiocese of Mobile is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the lower 28 counties of Alabama. It is the metropolitan seat of the Province of Mobile, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of the Diocese of Biloxi, the Diocese of Jackson, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
on July 15, 1956, at the Basilica dei Santi Apostoli in Rome. He was appointed Archbishop of Mobile
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile
The Archdiocese of Mobile is a Roman Catholic archdiocese comprising the lower 28 counties of Alabama. It is the metropolitan seat of the Province of Mobile, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of the Diocese of Biloxi, the Diocese of Jackson, and the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
on July 29, 1980,and consecrated on November 16, 1980, by his predecessor, Archbishop John Lawrence May
John L. May
John Lawrence May was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mobile and Archbishop of St. Louis .-Early life and education:...
. The Diocese of Mobile was elevated to the Archdiocese of Mobile on the date Lipscomb was appointed its first archbishop.
He attended McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.-History:...
in Mobile, then known as McGill Institute, where today an athletic complex is named in his honor. After graduating from McGill in 1949, he entered St. Bernard Junior Seminary and College
Southern Benedictine College
Southern Benedictine College was a Catholic Benedictine college located in Cullman, Alabama, USA. Named Saint Bernard College closed in 1979.It was established as a junior college by the Benedictine Society of Alabama as Saint Bernard College in 1929, although it had been conferring Bachelor's...
, in Cullman, Alabama
Cullman, Alabama
Cullman is a city in Cullman County, State of Alabama. Cullman is located along Interstate 65, about north of Birmingham, and about south of Huntsville. According to the U.S...
. In 1951, he entered the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
Seminary in Rome, and was there until his ordination in 1956. He acquired an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in History, in 1960, and a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in History from Catholic University of America (CUA), in 1963.
Lipscomb served as a parish priest in Mobile and as an educator at McGill Institute
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.-History:...
and Spring Hill College
Spring Hill College
Spring Hill College is a private, Roman Catholic Jesuit liberal arts college in the United States. It was founded in 1830 on the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama, by Most Rev. Michael Portier, Bishop of Mobile, Alabama...
. He was appointed chancellor
Diocesan chancery
A diocesan chancery is the branch of administration which handles all written documents used in the official government of a Roman Catholic or Anglican diocese....
of the Mobile archdiocese in 1966, and served in that capacity until he was appointed Archbishop of Mobile in 1980.
Lipscomb is a member of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches.