House Chaplain Un-resigns, Citing Anti-Catholic Ryan Aide
The House chaplain who last month announced his resignation after being pressured to do so by House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office rescinded that resignation Thursday. He alleged that Ryan’s chief of staff cited his religion, Catholicism,as one reason Ryan wanted him to resign.
“I have never been disciplined, nor reprimanded, nor have I ever heard a complaint about my ministry during my time as House Chaplain,” Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, who has been House chaplain since 2011, wrote in a letter to Ryan Thursday. (View a copy of the letter, published online by NBC News’ Alex Moe, below.)
Conroy’s resignation and subsequent public feuding with Ryan has ballooned into scandal. Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) stepped down from the committee to select the next chaplain after suggesting the next candidate be married with children, a requirement that would exclude Catholic priests.
Conroy alleged Thursday that when Ryan’s chief of staff, Jonathan Burks, informed him that Ryan was asking for his resignation, he “mentioned dismissively something like ‘maybe it’s time that we have a Chaplain that wasn’t a Catholic.’”
Conroy, a Jesuit, is the second Catholic to ever serve as House chaplain.
“He mentioned my November prayer and an interview with the National Journal Daily,” Conroy added, referring to Burks.
Conroy appears to be referring to his Nov. 6 prayer , in which he said:
As legislation on tax es continues to be debated this week and next, may all Members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great Nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle. May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans.
Conroy specifically disputed Ryan’s public justification for asking for his resignation, in which Ryan said that “a number of our members felt like the pastoral services were not being adequately served, or offered.” Ryan also mentioned inadequate “spiritual counseling,” Conroy said.
“This is not the reason that Mr. Burks gave me when asking for my ‘resignation,’” the reverend wrote.
“You may wish to outright ‘fire’ me,” Conroy added, “if you have the authority to do so, but should you wish to terminate my services, it will be without my offer of resignation, as you requested.”
View a copy of Conroy’s letter below via NBC News’ Alex Moe:
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Likely to cost the GOP at least some Catholic votes in November.
Now is the time to get rid of this position
Maybe, but I don't believe there is a single open atheist in the US Congress. It has always been believed they can't get elected.
I suppose that could be changing, but if all the members are believers they can have a chaplain as long as he/she doesnt favor a political religion. .
meant to say particular religion.
How about if we change it to house imam?
And yet there's a war on Christianity?
NO!
what does this position accomplish?
why is it worthy of tax money? All taxpayers are not religious
Exactly. Also what about the separation of church and state thing?
This is one of the more weird things I have seen in DC recently, and that's saying something.
The only thing which surprised me was how open these white evangelical Republicans are in their anti-Catholic animus today, but Southern Baptists like (SBC pastor) Mark Walker have been overtly anti-Catholic since before the civil war. It's one of several reasons why JFK was advised not to go to Dallas.
If these superstitious loons really need to mix church and state so much then the country would be better off if they selected a chaplain who represents a minority sect like Islam, Wicca or Reform Judaism. It might help them better understand the need for secular government.
The House Freedom Caucus very much desires an Evangelical in the position to affirm their allegiance to Lucifer.
I hope America's 72,000,000 Catholics are paying attention and will help us vote the damn gop out Nov 6th...
In a reversal, Speaker Ryan says the House chaplain will remain in his post
What is this country becoming...............
A circus?
What is this country becoming....................
MAGA
Mexico will build and pay for the wall
Get with the program
No porn star for you
MAGA - Mexican American Growers Assoc.
MAGA - My Attorney Got Arrested.
So much for Republicans being in favor of religious freedom. It is truly disgusting how they are now openly trying to force evangelical religion on America as the state religion.