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The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives has given Fr Patrick Conroy SJ his job back as chaplain to the House.
Conroy has served as chaplain to the House since 2011.
Chaplains are elected as individuals and not as representatives of any religious community, body or organisation.
Conroy resigned from the post on April 15 after being told Speaker Paul Ryan had asked for him to do so.
Conroy says he has never been disciplined and had received no complaints about his ministry during his nearly seven years as House chaplain.
He felt as though Ryan was forcing him to resign.
Conroy wrote his letter rescinding his resignation “upon the advice of counsel.”
He noted Ryan has never spoken with him about his request that he resign as chaplain.
“While you never spoke with me in person nor did you send me any correspondence, on Friday April 13th 2018, your Chief of Staff, Jonathan Burks, came to me and informed me that you were asking for my letter of resignation,” Conroy’s letter to Ryan says.
“I inquired as to whether or not it was ‘for cause,’ and Mr. Burks mentioned dismissively something like ‘maybe it’s time that we had a Chaplain that wasn’t a Catholic.’
“He also mentioned my November prayer and an interview with the National Journal Daily.”
Burks denied Conroy’s recollection of their meeting, saying he “strongly” disagreed with it.
“I am disappointed by the misunderstanding, but wish him the best as he continues to serve the House.”
In the prayer Burks was referencing, Conroy prayed “that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans.” At the time the House was considering the tax-cut plan advocated by Ryan.
Ryan says he and Conroy will meet next week to discuss moving forward “for the good of the whole House”.
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