Former priest dies as prisoner after embezzling from Louisa parishes

Former Catholic priest Rodney L. Rodis who lived a secret life as a husband and father of three children died as a prisoner earlier this month, after stealing at least hundreds of thousands of dollars from two Louisa County parishes.

Rodis, 58, was serving an 18-year prison sentence for embezzling money intended for church construction, tsunami relief and mission work in Haiti, among other causes. The money was used to support Rodis wife and children.

He also wired hundreds of thousands of dollars to his native Philippines, according to evidence presented in court leading up to convictions of 10 counts of felony theft in 2008, in addition to other related convictions.

Rodis died on Aug. 5, according to Chiles Funeral Home in Richmond. At the request of his family, a death notice was not provided, and a cause of death was not available.

Rodis wired at least $515,000 to the Philippines, according to authorities, who said at the time of the investigation Rodis bought properties there, including a three-story mansion.

We are praying for Mr. Rodis family and for Mr. Rodis himself. May his soul rest in peace, Catholic Diocese of Richmond spokeswoman Diana Sims Snider said Tuesday.

At the time Rodis was embezzling funds, St. Jude Catholic Church parishioner Toni Seay was the religious education director for the church in Mineral. On Tuesday, a day after learning of Rodis death, she said his lies and thefts hurt people so badly, because he seemed like such a good person.

Seay said she rarely saw Rodis on church grounds during the week. She had assumed he was spending that time at his other parish, the nearby Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Rodis had actually spent much of his time near Fredericksburg with his secret family.

His homilies related to marriage and children, and relationships. And it was great. You connected, Seay said. And he always ended his homilies with: love each other and be a good Christian.

bshulleeta@timesdispatch.com (804) 649-6391

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Former priest dies as prisoner after embezzling from Louisa parishes