Ryan swears chaplain back in after controversy over resignation

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) swore Father Patrick Conroy back in as chaplain Tuesday afternoon after he resigned last week at Ryan’s request, then rescinded the resignation amid controversy.

Conroy was expected to step down from his post on April 24 at the request of Ryan. The Wisconsin Republican’s decision to oust the priest sparked a wave of bipartisan backlash, with Democrats pushing for the establishment of a select committee to investigate his motives for the move. Conroy ultimately announced he planned to fight to stay in the role, but Ryan accepted his decision.

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“Pursuant to the provisions of section 208-a of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, 2 U.S.C. 5501-a, the chair appoints Father Patrick J. Conroy of the state of Oregon to act as and to exercise temporarily the duties of chaplain of the House of Representatives effective Friday, May 25, 2018,” Ryan said on the floor.

Conroy, who received the request for his resignation via Ryan’s chief of staff, Jonathan Burks, said he believes Ryan wanted to oust him over a prayer during the tax-reform debate. Ryan maintains the decision was not political, saying he wanted to ensure members’ pastoral needs were being met.

Ryan met with Conroy to discuss how pastoral services could be improved earlier Tuesday morning.

“We had a good meeting this morning, we are going to keep talking and I feel good about where things are,” he told reporters Tuesday.