PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
By Dave Sutor
dsutor@tribdem.com
Rev. Charles Bodziak and Renée Rice sat inside a Blair County courtroom on Thursday, separated by only a few feet, decades after the priest allegedly sexually abused the then-young child.
Neither spoke.
But they were the key figures in a civil case brought by Rice against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, retired Bishop Joseph Adamec, and the estate of deceased Bishop James Hogan. She has accused them of committing fraud, constructive fraud and conspiracy. Bodziak is also included in the conspiracy charge.
Afterwards, both talked to reporters.
“All I know, myself as a priest, (I’m) a victim because I’m innocent. I never did anything,” said Bodziak before his attorney, Thomas Foor, subtly guided him away from reporters.
When asked how it felt to learn her alleged abuser called himself a victim, Rice said, “It’s hard. It’s really hard.”
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