Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi
Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi, a native of New Orleans, graduated from De La Salle High School in 1967 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University in 1971. He returned to New Orleans where he earned a law degree from Tulane University Law School in 1974, and then entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1978.
Archbishop Rodi was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1978, and served as associate pastor at St. Ann and St. Christopher the Martyr Parishes in Metairie, pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Jefferson, and pastor of St. Rita Parish in New Orleans.
In 1983 he was appointed judge for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Metropolitan Tribunal. He earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and served as professor of canon law at Notre Dame Seminary from 1986 to 1995.
Archbishop Rodi served in New Orleans as director of the Office of Religious Education from 1988 to 1989, and as executive director of the Department of Pastoral Services from 1989 to 1996.
In addition to his other duties, Archbishop Rodi was Chancellor for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1992, and in 1996, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.
In 1992, he was named a prelate of honor (a monsignor) by Pope John Paul II.
He was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Biloxi on July 2, 2001.
He was appointed Archbishop of Mobile on April, 2008 and installed on June 6, 2008.