More PHP fun!
 
I can see in the spec files that php-mcrypt support was removed by Redhat.  I tried to find out why but I don't have sufficient access to redhat bugzilla.  I am wondering if it is actually necessary as I have also run across a post or two that indicates applications that rely on mcrypt still work with the new php53.
 
Perhaps mcrypt was superceded by another module or PHP core code?