Catholic Priest Suspected of Having Wife, Children
NBC 4
January 18, 2007
http://www.nbc4.com/news/10784622/detail.html
Louisa, Va. — A Roman Catholic priest accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from two rural parishes appeared in court on Thursday as his former parishioners looked on.
The Rev. Rodney L. Rodis, 50, appeared briefly in Louisa Circuit Court before Judge Timothy Sanner. He did not enter a plea and the judge continued the case until Feb. 26. Rodis is free on $10,000 bond.
Rodis, who did not respond to questions outside of court, wore a bulky green jacket and it was not apparent if he was wearing his cleric's collar. He appeared in court with the aid of a cane.
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| Priest Charged In Embezzlement Scheme Appears In Court |
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond has said Rodis embezzled more than $600,000 from his two parishes, but a state police investigator said the sum could top $1 million.
In court, about a dozen people watched their former priest with grim faces. Many said they felt betrayed by a man they had once considered a charismatic leader.
"Answers — we all want answers. We're hurt. There's anger. It's just sad," said parishioner Cindy Honchar, a member of St. Jude Church.
"We're all in a state of shock and very, very disappointed," said Kathleen Pfeiffer, 63, of Mineral, who had been a member of St. Jude since 1996.
"Nobody suspected this. He's just a very little, round, jovial guy," Pfeiffer said. "We all went out of our way to help and help the parish."
On Jan. 8, Rodis was indicted on one count of felony embezzlement. Rodis had been pastor at St. Jude in Mineral and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass between 1993 and May 2006. He is retired.
Court records show that police seized from Rodis' home bank records and other items, including a receipt for Lucky Money dated May 24, 2006. Lucky Money Inc. is a service for wiring money to the Philippines, Rodis' home country.
Rodis is also suspected of having a wife and children. He and Joyce Sillador-Rodis are listed as husband and wife on a deed of trust for a Spotsylvania mortgage on a house they shared with three children, according to records in Spotsylvania Circuit Court.
Rodis has told the Richmond Times-Dispatch he is not married to Joyce Sillador, though neighbors said he has referred to her as his wife for the past decade.
Authorities allege Rodis opened an account in a church's name at a bank in Fredericksburg, deposited donations in the account and then diverted them for personal use.
The diocese said it became aware of financial irregularities in the fall when a donor to Immaculate Conception requested verification of a $1,000 contribution for tax purposes and the parish could not find a record of the donation.
However, at least one person said she stills supports Rodis.
"I can't believe he'd do that," said parishioner Kathy Kesler, a member of St. Jude. She said even if Rodis has lived a double life and stolen, she still supports him. She said she came to court on Thursday hoping to give him a hug but she never got a chance.
"I still love him and we all love him," she said.
If convicted, Rodis could face up to 20 years in prison. Rodis was ordained a priest in the Philippines in 1986 and has been living in the United States since 1991.
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