Chaplain Patrick J. Conroy outlasts Ryan; continues his role in new Congress

[left-of-center2012]

Father Patrick J. Conroy will remain in his role as House chaplain for the 116th Congress, after a year full of turmoil surrounding the role. The House voice voted Thursday afternoon to install the House officers — but not without an extra hurdle for the chaplain. House GOP Caucus Chairwoman Liz Cheney called for a separate vote on the chaplain ... House Speaker Nancy Pelosi granted Cheney’s motion, and Conroy was approved.

The House chaplain opens every House session with a prayer or brings in a guest chaplain to say a prayer. The chaplain is also responsible for “pastoral counseling” for the House community. That includes arranging memorial services for House members and their staff and performing marriages.

In April 2018, then-Speaker Paul D. Ryan moved to fire Conroy, a Jesuit priest.
Members opposing Conroy’s ouster ... wondered whether Ryan was being pressured by evangelical Republicans whose views may not align with Conroy’s Jesuit beliefs.
Jesuits focus on education and service to others, and are known for having more liberal religious views compared to some more traditional Catholics and other religions.

Ryan’s staff had raised concerns about a prayer Conroy delivered Nov. 6 during the tax overhaul debate. “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 said in the prayer.

“Speaker Ryan did this knowing that he had no power to fire Father Conroy and instead chose to force him out by demanding his resignation.” Democratics Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Gerald E. Connolly of Virginia worked on a privileged resolution to rescind Conroy’s resignation and reinstate him as chaplain through the end of 2018.

Ryan accepted it, and Conroy stayed on as chaplain. He’s staying even longer, as Pelosi’s choice for House chaplain for the next two years.

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/chaplain-patrick-j-conroy-ryan

[mopinko]

1. elsewhere in the blue wave- my sister's first day.

one of the 7 dem women elected to the dupage county board objected to the prayer/invocation at the beginning of the meetings.
continued, but there is a lot of support for dumping it. religious diversity is on the rise in the county. if it continues, it will get a lot more diverse in a big ole hurry.