{"id":3744,"date":"2018-05-02T23:20:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-02T23:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aoh.com\/?p=3744"},"modified":"2018-05-16T12:26:27","modified_gmt":"2018-05-16T12:26:27","slug":"statement-from-aoh-catholic-action-chair-on-the-forced-resignation-of-house-chaplain-fr-patrick-conroy-s-j","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aoh.com\/2018\/05\/02\/statement-from-aoh-catholic-action-chair-on-the-forced-resignation-of-house-chaplain-fr-patrick-conroy-s-j\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement from AOH Catholic Action Chair on the Forced Resignation of House Chaplain Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The tenth chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew underscores the cost and requirements of proclaiming Jesus\u2019s message to the Church. \u201cOne\u2019s enemies will be those of his own household,\u201d is the stark reality Christ presents those of us who would preach that gospel message. Those passages have become prescient in light of the recent forced resignation of House Chaplain, Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J., by House Speaker and self-proclaimed devout Catholic, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Only twice in its history has the House of Representatives employed Roman Catholics as chaplains, and Fr. Conroy is the first Chaplain of any denomination ever to be dismissed before the end of his tenure.<\/p>\n

Numerous theories surround Fr. Conroy\u2019s dismissal. Many point to the Jesuit priest\u2019s prayer back in November that called upon all members of the House to remember the basic principles and tenets of fairness and justice in passing the major tax overhaul. Others have cited the remarks of Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC), a Southern Baptist minister, who opined that someone who is married and has children of his own would be better suited to serve as chaplain (which would thus eliminate any Catholic Priest or Nun and even Jesus himself from consideration). A third story circulating was that Fr. Conroy was apparently not meeting the \u201cspiritual needs of the lawmakers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The problem is that whatever scenario regarding the dismissal of Fr. Conroy proves true, it presents troubling issues for Roman Catholics and people of faith in general. Speaker Ryan has either jettisoned a chaplain for adhering to the recognized tenets of all major religions or caved in to thinly veiled anti-Catholicism.<\/p>\n

From the founding of the nation through the campaigns of Al Smith and John F. Kennedy, some members of our society have openly questioned the ability of Roman Catholics to function as \u201cfull and true Americans.\u201d Roman Catholics of all stripes have proven their patriotism and devotion time and again either through military or public service. Those of us who know the history of the days when the Know-Nothings sparked fear throughout Catholic America shall remind Americans that there was nothing great about that time. If Fr. Conroy\u2019s forced resignation came about because his prayers made some \u201cuncomfortable\u201d, then they should revisit our Nation’s history. In 1774 when there was discussion as to appoint a Chaplain to Congress, some representatives raised the issue that some may be \u201cuncomfortable\u201d if the minister was not of their denomination. This controversy was ended when Samuel Adams observed \u201cHe was no bigot and could hear a Prayer from a Gentleman of Piety and Virtue, who was at the same Time a Friend to his Country<\/em>\u201d. We would be wise to follow Sam Adams\u2019 wisdom in an effort to make America great again.<\/p>\n

We, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, call upon Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to give sufficient answer to the questions surrounding the dismissal of Reverend Patrick Conroy, S.J.<\/p>\n

John Fitzmorris III, National Catholic Action Chairman<\/p>\n

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