Pelosi reconsiders support for Jesuit House chaplain nominee
May 11, 2011
A spokesman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that she is reconsidering her support for a Jesuit nominee for House chaplain after learning that the Oregon Jesuit province, to which the nominee belongs, recently made a record sex-abuse settlement.
Pelosi’s spokesman charged that Speaker John Boehner, who nominated Father Patrick Conroy for the position, never told Pelosi about the settlement. A spokesman for Boehner countered that “the settlement is public knowledge.”
Father Patrick Conroy, the nominee, has never been accused of abuse or of covering up abuse. On the contrary, in 1986 he informed Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen of Seattle that another priest had made a “homosexual pass” at a young teenage boy, “momentarily molesting him.” Archbishop Hunthausen allowed the priest to remain in ministry.
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Further information:
- Pelosi, Boehner Clash Over Chaplain (Roll Call)
- Jesuit priest to serve as chaplain to US House of Representatives (CWN, 5/6)
- Oregon Jesuit province makes record sex-abuse settlement (CWN, 3/25)
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
May. 11, 2011 7:20 PM ET USA
Ms Pelosi aside, when do we start throwing these Bishops in jail? They are equally guilty.
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Posted by: New Sister -
May. 11, 2011 3:10 PM ET USA
How rich is that! A case, as Father Groeschel puts it, of "the devil biting his [her] own tail!" I don't see how the pseudo-Catholic former speaker can wriggle out of this one. I'm praying for Father Conroy, and for Speaker Boehner.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
May. 11, 2011 9:15 AM ET USA
Here is a priest who has remained faithful to our Lord and had the courage to step up and speak out when he saw abuse! This is exactly the kind of priest that is needed to be House chaplain! Yes, I can see why Ms Pelosi might be wary of someone who is faithful to the Lord's teachings AND speaks up...
