Couple finds and returns archbishop’s stolen crosier

Feb 5, 2007 / 12:34 pm

Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb expressed his gratitude and relief after having had his episcopal crosier returned to him this past weeked.  The crosier, along with several other items was stolen from his car on Christmas Eve.

According to a report in the Mobile Register, Clinton McInnis bought the sterling-silver metal crosier, also known as a bishop’s staff, at a local thrift shop on Jan. 26, thinking it would be an interesting addition to his cane collection. He paid it $10.96.

Four mitres, a pectoral cross, a pallium and Church papers were stolen along with the crosier on Dec. 24. Church officials said the crosier alone is valued at $6,000.

It was only when McInnis got home and assembled his new purchase that he realized that it wasn’t really a cane. He didn’t know what it was and only figured it out after reading a report in the newspaper that the pectoral cross had been purchased at the same thrift shop and returned last week.  

He and his wife, Donna, immediately called the archdiocese to inform them of their find. They returned the crosier to the archbishop personally on Saturday.

Archbishop Lipscomb said he was glad to have it back because it was a gift from another bishop. He thanked the couple with a photographic history of the archdiocese.

According to the Register, Archbishop Lipscomb said Church officials would be on the lookout for the mitres during the Mardi Gras parades.