Most Rev. Oscar Hugh Lipscomb
Deceased: 2020-07-15
Diocese: MOBILE
Seminary Graduation Year: 1957
Most Reverend Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Mobile, died peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Sacred Heart Residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile.
Archbishop Lipscomb was born on September 21, 1931 in Mobile, Alabama. He attended St. Patrick Parochial School and McGill Institute in Mobile, before joining collegiate seminary at St. Bernard College in Cullman, Alabama. He went on to study theology at The Pontifical North American College and Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained to the Priesthood on July 15, 1956 in Rome.
After further studies in Rome, Archbishop Lipscomb returned to Mobile in 1957 and served at St. Mary Parish while teaching at McGill Institute and lecturing at Spring Hill College. He continued to pursue graduate studies, obtaining an M.A. (1960) and Ph.D. (1963) in History from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was appointed Vice Chancellor of the then Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham in 1963 and Chancellor in 1966. In 1966, he also received the honor of Papal Chaplain to His Holiness and the title of Monsignor. He served as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Mobile, his childhood parish, from 1966 to 1971 and was assistant pastor at St. Matthew Parish, Mobile, and Cathedral Parish while also serving as Chancellor.
On July 29, 1980, the Province of Mobile was established by Pope John Paul II raising the diocese to the Archdiocese of Mobile. Most Reverend Oscar H. Lipscomb was ordained as its First Archbishop on November 16, 1980 at the Mobile Civic Center by Most Reverend John L. May, his predecessor.
During his tenure as Archbishop of Mobile, Archbishop Lipscomb served on various Committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, numerous College and Seminary Boards, and the Board of Directors of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. He also served on national and international Catholic Committees, including the Catholic Common Ground Initiative, the Catholic Health Association Committee on Ethics and Values, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies, the Southeast Pastoral Institute, and the Vox Clara Committee of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Locally, Archbishop Lipscomb was a member of the Mobile Museum Board, Alabama Historical Association, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Malta, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Mobile Chapter of the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, Mobile Lions Club, Mobile Metropolitan YMCA, and various other Catholic historical associations. He was named “Mobilian of the Year” in 1981. In 2008, the athletic complex for McGill-Toolen Catholic High School was dedicated as Lipscomb Field, in his honor.
After 28 years of ministry as the Archbishop of Mobile, at the age of 76, Archbishop Lipscomb’s request for retirement was accepted by the Holy Father on April 2, 2008. Archbishop Lipscomb remained Administrator of the Archdiocese until June 6, 2008 when Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi was installed as Archbishop of Mobile. As Archbishop Emeritus, Archbishop Lipscomb continued to remain active in pastoral ministry, attending Masses and Catholic events throughout the archdiocese. He was also a strong supporter of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School athletics and a frequent spectator at football games. Archbishop Lipscomb was preceded in death by his father, Oscar H. Lipscomb, Sr., his mother, Margaret Antoinette Saunders Lipscomb, and his beloved sister, Margaret Joyce Bolton and her husband, Joseph. He is survived by his nephew, Joseph M. Bolton, Jr. (Linda) of Daphne, his cousin, Mrs. Raye White of Houston, Texas, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Due to precautions for Covid-19 the Funeral Mass will be private.
The Archdiocese of Mobile would like to thank the Little Sisters of the Poor and the staff of Sacred Heart Residence for the care given to Archbishop Lipscomb during his retirement and illness. Gratitude is also extended to A. Jeffrey Zieman, M.D. and Deacon Ernest J. Johnson for their care over the years.
