USA: Catholic Chaplain to Congress retracts his resignation

Fr Patrick Conroy SJ - Wiki

Fr Patrick Conroy SJ, who served as chaplain to the US House of Representatives since 2011, has taken back the resignation letter he wrote on 15 April, after being asked to resign by Jonathan Burks, chief of staff of Republican Speaker Paul Ryan last month. James Martin, SJ commented on Twitter this morning:

#FatherConroy's reinstatement is a great wrong set right. But we must confront the anti-Catholicism this episode unearthed, from hints that priests can't provide "pastoral services" to this disturbing comment quoted in Conroy's letter: "time for a chaplain that's not a Catholic."

The full text of Fr Conroy's letter follows:

Dear Speaker Ryan,

As you know, by letter of April 15, 2018, I tendered my resignation of the position of Chaplain the United States House of Representatives hereinafter "House Chaplain" to you effective May 24 2018. At this time, and upon advice of counsel I hereby retract and rescind said resignation for the reasons that follow

I was elected as House Chaplain on May 25, 2011 and I have honorably served in that role since that time. I was re-elected House Chaplain in every succeeding Congress. I have never been disciplined no reprimanded nor I have ever ever heard a complaint about my ministry during my time as House Chaplain. It is my desire to continue to serve as House Chaplain in this 115th United States Congress to the end of my current two-year term, and beyond, unless my services are officially terminated (however that is properly done) or I am not re-elected to the position by the membership of the House.

While you never spoke to me in person, nor did you send me any correspondence on Friday, April 13, 2018, your chief of staff, Jonathan Burks came to me and informed me that you were asking for my letter of resignation. 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.

At that point I thought that I had little choice but to resign as my assumption was that you had the absolute prerogative and authority to end my term as House Chaplain.

Recently on April 27 you publicly indicated that my 'pastoral services to some Members were lacking and that I did not offer adequate spiritual counselling to others. This is not the reason that Mr Burks gave me when asking for my 'resignation'. In fact no such criticism has ever been levelled against me during my tenure as House Chaplain. At the very least, if it were, I could have attempted to correct such 'faults'. In retracting my resignation I I wish to do just that.

I also write this letter because I do not wish to have my 'resignation' be construed as 'constructive termination.' You may wish to outright 'fire', me 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.

Since soon after I submitted my letter of April 15 I chose to remain silent about this matter despite numerous requests from the media. There has been much said in conjecture about my leaving the Chaplain's Office, much of it damaging to the reputation of the House and the integrity of the Office of Chaplain.

Had I known of any failure in providing my ministry to the house I would have attempted to make the appropriate adjustments but in no case would I have agreed to submitter a letter of resignation without being given that opportunity. Therefore I wish to serve the remainder of my term as House Chaplain, unless terminated 'for cause'. Please be guided accordingly and kindly provide confirmation of your recognition of this letter and my retraction of resignation no later than May 12 2018.

Thank you

Sincerely

Patrick J Conroy SJ

CC The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Minority Leader
The Honorable Karen Hass, Clerk of the House
Daniel G P Marchese Esq

See also: ICN 28 April 2018 Catholic Chaplain to Congress forced to resign www.indcatholicnews.com/news/34806