Former priest Alex Crow and a young woman who accompanied him during a roughly four-month stay in Europe have reportedly returned to Mobile, the Archdiocese of Mobile said in a statement Monday.

“The Archdiocese of Mobile is relieved to learn that Alex Crow and the young woman with whom he left the country after abandoning his parish may have returned home to the Mobile area,” the statement reads. “While Crow has not contacted the Archdiocese, numerous individuals and media reports have indicated their return.”

Crow and the young woman have been at the center of a church scandal. After he 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 the 18-year-old woman, with the two later located in Italy by a family member of the young woman.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch has at various times accused Crow of being a pedophile and of “grooming” the young woman, and others, but investigators have not filed any charges against the 30-year-old former priest.

Monday, the sheriff’s office said a statement on the case would be made once investigators have interviewed the young woman.

Regardless the outcome of the investigation, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi made it clear Crow would not be welcomed back into the priesthood, a position which the archdiocese appeared to reiterated in Monday’s statement.

“The Archdiocese would like to remind everyone that Alex Crow has been removed from ministry and his priestly faculties are suspended,” the statement said.

“Therefore, Crow is not to exercise any ministry as a priest, or present himself as a priest. He is not allowed to celebrate Mass, visit school grounds, or lead any church ministries. If anyone is aware of Crow doing so, they are encouraged to contact the Archdiocese immediately at 251-434-1587.”

The statement also said the archdiocese also has no information suggesting Crow has engaged in criminal behavior.

“While Crow’s behavior has been scandalous, the Archdiocese does not have any information to indicate that Crow has committed any crime. To the extent law enforcement is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Crow’s behavior, the Archdiocese will continue to cooperate fully.

“If law enforcement has closed their investigation of Crow, the Archdiocese thanks them for their thorough and thoughtful attention to this matter. Crow’s sudden departure created scandal, hurt, and confusion within the Archdiocese. We continue to pray for God’s grace to bring healing to this situation for everyone.”