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	Priest to Stand Trial Oct. 1 By Calvin R. Trice Richmond Times-Dispatch [Louisa VA] March 30, 2007 http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350495155 The priest accused of stealing as much as $1 million from two Louisa County Catholic churches pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to stand trial Oct. 1. The Rev. Rodney L. Rodis, 50, this morning entered not guilty pleas to 13 counts of embezzlement. He is charged with stealing from St. Jude church in Mineral and Immaculate Conception church in Bumpass beginning in 1995, a year after he became pastor of the two parishes. Authorities discovered the money missing in November. A native of the Philippines, Rodis arrived in Louisa as administrative leader of the two churches in January 1993 and became pastor in January 1994. He retired in May for what he said were chronic health reasons. Rodis waived his right to a jury trial during the brief hearing before Louisa Circuit Judge Timothy K. Sanner. Sanner increased Rodis' bond from $10,000 to $25,000, which Rodis is expected to post this afternoon. The court case brought to light Rodis' home life in Spotsylvania County just outside of Fredericksburg, where for years the priest lived with three children and a woman he told neighbors was his wife. Catholic priests are supposed to be celibate and are not allowed to marry. His attorney, John R. Maus, has said Rodis is not legally married to the woman. He declined to say whether Rodis is the father of the children who lived with the couple. See tomorrow's Times-Dispatch for more details. Contact staff writer Calvin at ctrice@timesdispatch.com or (434) 295-9542.
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