A newly-formed group of Catholics describing itself as “Guardians of Grace” and “Protectors of the Children” protested outside Cathedral Square Sunday, demanding greater accountability from the Catholic Diocese of Mobile in the wake of the Alex Crow scandal.

The group, the Catholic Warriors Initiative, launched a Facebook page two days earlier and had 18 members as of Monday.

In addition to Sunday’s protest, in which people carried signs referencing perceived cover ups and calling for accountability, one of the members — Bud Hadley — has started a petition on Change.org.

The petition calls for the removal of Archbishop Thomas Rodi, McGill-Toolen High School president Fr. Bry Sheilds and principal Michelle Haas from their respective positions.

As of midday Monday, the petition had gathered 21 signatures out of a stated goal of 25.

“For decades, there have been deeply troubling cover-ups within the Archdiocese and McGill, particularly related to child predators, encompassing both sexual and emotional misconduct,” Hadley wrote in the petition.

“The collective leadership of Archbishop Rodi, Father Shields, and Ms. Haas has been made aware of these misdeeds on multiple occasions by numerous concerned individuals.”

Hadley went on to claim archdiocese and McGill-Toolen officials have dismissed sexual abuse claims without investigation; been reluctant or refused to believe victims’ claims; and demonstrated a lack of action to address the issues.

“Our goal is not to tarnish the reputation of any individual but to ensure the safety, transparency, and integrity of our Catholic institutions and schools,” Hadley wrote. “We firmly believe that for the community to heal and move forward, there is a pressing need for a change in leadership.”

Crow was stripped of his duties as a priest in July after the archdiocese said he had “abandoned his assignment.”

Crow had reportedly left the country with an 18-year-old woman, with the two later located in Italy by a family member of the young woman.

At the time, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said no criminal activity was suspected, but has since accused Crow of “grooming” the young woman, and others, while they were students at McGill-Toolen High School, where Crow lectured.

Burch has gone so far as to suggest Crow is a “pedophile,” according to WPMI, although no criminal charges have been filed.

The Archdiocese of Mobile and Mobile County District Attorney’s Office have both released prior statements saying they were investigating and cooperating with the sheriff’s office.

In response to Sunday’s protest, the Archdiocese released the following statement to WKRG:

“The Archdiocese of Mobile takes every accusation of sexual misconduct with a minor seriously. Sexual misconduct with a minor is not tolerated and we work together with school and parish leadership, in whom we have full confidence, to ensure the enforcement of our Safe Environments Program.”