“God doesn't change His mind to conform to opinion polls - we did not elect Him to be God, and we cannot vote Him out of the office.”

Peter Kreeft

Fr. Anthony Co

Father Co was born in St. Charles, Illinois. His father is a surgeon and his mother a registered nurse.  

After receiving his degrees in philosophy and Eastern religions from the University of Illinois/Champaign, he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Father Co was ordained in the Diocese of Peoria in 2005, and initially served in many communities, including Alexis, Oquawka, and Monmouth, where he also was chaplain of the Newman Club at Monmouth College.  While serving as parochial vicar at St. Matthew in Champaign, he assisted with Hispanic ministry at St. John Catholic Chapel as well as the St. John Newman Foundation at the University of Illinois/Champaign.  

At St. Patrick in Andalusia, he served as administrator and pastor, while also as chaplain at Alleman High School and Augustana College.  He was appointed pastor of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart in Rock Island in 2016.