Priest in secret marriage pleas guilty to half-million-dollar embezzlement

Richmond, Oct 29, 2007 / 10:47 am (CNA).- A retired Roman Catholic priest faces forty years in jail for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from two rural Virginian parishes, the Associated Press reports.

On Friday Father Rodney L. Rodis, 51, pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and one of money laundering.

Father Rodis embezzled money from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass and St. Jude Church in Mineral between 2002 and 2006, prosecutors said. He wired at least $515,231 to relatives in his native Philippines to purchase property.

Who was doing the diocesan financial audits of parishes? I wonder how his children feel about this? And will he be laicized? Honesty doesn't seem to be one of his stronger traits or virtues. Maybe he had few people to pray for him and support him?

It's yet another instance to remind us of our obligation to pray for our priests who are subjected to even more temptations and tests than most laity. If we want the Almighty to send us good and holy priests, should we not pray for those we have and offer our praises to God for His blessings?