GOP EXTREMISM
‘Fired for Praying for the Poor’: Paul Ryan Under Attack for Forcing House Chaplain to Resign
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is facing fire for forcing the House Chaplain to resign. Various sources deliver differing reasons for the termination, but critics are all in agreement that Ryan is wrong.
“As you have requested, I hereby offer my resignation as the 60th Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives,” House Chaplain Patrick Conroy wrote in an the April 15 letter to Speaker Ryan. The Hill obtained a copy of the letter, and reports, “Conroy, who has served as chaplain since 2011, declined to comment on Thursday. His resignation is effective May 24.”
“Four different sources — two from each party — say Conroy was told that he must retire or that he would be dismissed.”
One “Democratic lawmaker said that the Speaker took issue with a prayer on the House floor that could have been perceived as being critical of the GOP tax-cut bill,” The Hill adds.
Another source told The Hill some “conservative evangelical Republicans didn’t like that the Father had invited a Muslim person to give the opening prayer.”
Whatever the reason, many Democratic and Republican lawmakers are furious. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says she told Speaker Ryan she objected to the termination and believed he would not go through with it once she voiced her disapproval.
Outside the House, many others are expressing upset and anger.
UPDATE: ‘RELIGIOUS FREEDOM’ REPUBLICANS REJECT RESOLUTION TO INVESTIGATE WHY RYAN FIRED HOUSE CHAPLAIN
Jesuit priest and editor at large of America magazine, James Martin, SJ:
If the comments by the congressional aide quoted by @thehill are accurate–“[T]he speaker was dismayed by a prayer Father Conroy gave”–then a Catholic Speaker of the House fired a Catholic chaplain for praying for the poor. https://t.co/eDdzeaKexI
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 26, 2018
The famous “Nun on a Bus,” Sister Simone Campbell:
Earlier today, I heard the news that House Chaplain Father Conroy was forced to resign by Speaker Ryan. Here is my statement: pic.twitter.com/qUgYEKuLEP
— Sr. Simone Campbell (@sr_simone) April 26, 2018
More responses:
Here’s a little video profile we did of Fr. Pat Conroy, now ex-Chaplain to Congress. Conroy was always non-partisan in public & private (& he actually told us he quite respected @SpeakerRyan)https://t.co/OSGz421Ba7
— Jeremy Zipple (@jzipple) April 26, 2018
Currently watching Democrats go up to the House chaplain and say hi.
John Delaney was just talking with him. Joe Crowley stopped over. Now Maxine Waters comes over, gives him a big hug, and sits down with him.
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) April 26, 2018
Unshackled from the restraints of re-election, @SpeakerRyan finally stands up to @realDonaldTrump – oh no, wait, he used his newfound freedom to fire the House Chaplain for praying for those who aren’t billionaires. Sticking to his brand until the end.
— Pat Cunnane (@PatCunnane) April 26, 2018
So Ryan won’t do a thing about removing Devin Nunes, or Scott Pruitt, and he won’t protect Mueller’s investigation, but the House Chaplain, yeah, thats where the energy needs to be. #FireRyan Send him packing….early. #PaulRyan #CorruptToTheCore
— Nicholas Goodman (@MentalPropProd) April 26, 2018
Image via Wikipedia
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