Pelosi names first female House chaplain

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has named Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben to serve as House chaplain, the first female chaplain of either chamber of Congress.

Pelosi said in a Thursday statement that Kibben brings “decades of decorated experience in the military and the ministry,” adding that “her integrity, experience and patriotism will serve the Congress and the Country well, as she ministers to the needs of Members.”

Kibben entered active duty in 1986 through the U.S. Navy’s Theological Student Program, the statement says. She has served as the 18th chaplain of the Marine Corps, and later served as the U.S. Navy’s 26th chief chaplain in her final active-duty assignment.

Pelosi thanked Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and the bipartisan group of lawmakers that led the search for the new chaplain.

Kibben will be replacing Father Patrick J. Conroy, who was first sworn in to the position in May 2011.

“His service has been a spiritual and moral anchor for Members, grounding our institution in the values of faith and country and reminding our Members of our responsibilities to our great nation and constituents,” Pelosi said. “All Members wish Father Pat well as he enjoys his well-deserved retirement from the House.”