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	Louisa Priest Faces Theft Charge By Calvin R. Trice Richmond Times-Dispatch [Louisa VA] January 11, 2007 http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192595985 Louisa -- A Catholic priest is accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from two Louisa County churches over five years. The Rev. Rodney L. Rodis, 50, was pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church in Mineral and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass until he retired for medical reasons in May. Church officials learned of the alleged thefts in November, when a donation was not acknowledged and the parish could find no record of it, said William Etherington, an attorney for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, who estimated the loss at more than $600,000. Church officials contacted the Louisa commonwealth's attorney, who then brought state police into the investigation. Rodis was indicted on a charge of felony embezzlement by a Louisa County grand jury Monday. He was being held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange under $100,000 bond last night, said R. Don Short, Louisa commonwealth's attorney. Rodis could have his bond reduced today if prosecutors are assured he won't leave the country, Short said. "We'll probably try to adjust that bond to allow him to make it," he said. Rodis was ordained a priest in his native Philippines in 1986 and has lived in the United States since 1991. He began serving at the Louisa parishes in 1993, Etherington said. The indictment accuses Rodis of stealing money between September 2001 and October 2006. He is scheduled to make a first appearance in Louisa General District Court this morning. The priest will then have another court appearance next week, Short said. If convicted, Rodis could face up to 20 years in prison. Vicky Harte, a parishioner at St. Jude, called Rodis a friendly, people-centered church leader whose personality made him well-liked among parishioners. Rodis got along especially well with children, Harte said. "It was really hard for all of them to understand that this has happened," she said. Lavonne Simmons, another St. Jude parishioner, said she was sorry to hear about the charges because she thought Rodis was a good pastor. "I just pray that this will work out for him and for the church," Simmons said. Contact staff writer Calvin R. Trice at ctrice@timesdispatch.com or (540) 574-9977
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