Chasing Out the Chaplain

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan decided that it was time for Rev. Patrick Conroy, Chaplain of the House of Representatives, to go.

 

Ryan is keeping to himself the exact reason for firing Conroy as House Chaplain with even fellow Republicans kept out of the loop.  

 

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.: “He just said that there was dissatisfaction among members with Father Conroy. And that was it. I think we deserve more of an explanation on why. The speaker said it was just because certain people thought he was not compliant with their requests, or not giving good counsel. I never heard that."

 

Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, said Ryan told her Conroy was asked to resign "because the chaplain is not administering to the pastoral needs of the Congress,” a complaint Pelosi had not heard of before.  

 

At least 148 members sent a letter Ryan requesting more information. The letter notes that “the sensitive nature of this situation requires a description of the process followed to arrive at the decision and a justification for that decision. We believe that, absent such details, questions will inevitably arise about the politicization of the process for hiring and dismissing a House chaplain. Not revealing such details could also risk resurrecting prior questions of religious bias."

 

"I’m very sorry Father Conroy was forced to resign as a House Chaplain. He is a good man. No explanation and no consultation," tweeted Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., one of the few Muslim lawmakers.

 

Also in the dark is apparently Father Conroy himself. “I was asked to resign, that is clear," Conroy said. Asked why, however, he said, "that is unclear."

 

In the absence of facts, we are left with only hints and allegations. 

 

Rep. Mark Walker, R-Ala., chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, heard some stuff from people who heard some stuff. Walker said, "I cannot give you any information on what the issue was. The only that we know is that members went to Speaker Ryan with concerns about Father Conroy.”  

 

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., called it a "shameful anti-Catholic move motivated by conservative extremists in Congress."

 

The most consistently espoused theory as the reason behind Conroy’s ouster as Chaplain stems from a prayer Conroy gave on November 6^th last year.  

 

Here is the prayer as posted in the Congressional Record.

 

                                

 PRAYER

  The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered the following prayer:

  God of the universe, we give You thanks for giving us another day.

  Bless the Members of this assembly as they set upon the work of these hours, of these days. Help them to make wise decisions in a good manner and to carry their responsibilities steadily, with high hopes for a better future for our great Nation.

  As legislation on taxes 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.

  May Your blessing, O God, be with them and with us all this day and every day to come, and may all we do be done for Your greater honor and glory.

  Amen.

 

The alleged offending part of that prayer was “there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans”. 

 

Ryan read that as playing to the Democrats because it implied criticisms of the tax cuts being more beneficial to the rich.

Seems to me Father Conroy was just urging the House to be fair.

It will be a shame if that is I why he had to go.