Veteran House Chaplain Patrick Conroy's abrupt resignation has reportedly rankled some lawmakers who see the exit as one forced by Speaker Paul Ryan for apparent political reasons.
The Jesuit's own resignation letter states it was at the Wisconsin Republican's request, The Hill and The Washington Post reported.
"As you have requested, I hereby offer my resignation as the 60th chaplain of the United States House of Representatives," Conroy wrote to Ryan on April 16, the Post reported.
"I have seen it as a blessing, and I have considered it one of the great privileges of my life," he added.
Approached about Ryan's decision, Conroy declined to comment Thursday to either outlet.
The resignation is effective May 24. Ryan made no mention of the reason for Conroy's exit in his announcement.
According to The Hill, four unnamed sources — two from each party — say Conroy was told he must retire or he would be dismissed.
The issue has riled House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who brought up the episode during the Democrats' Whip meeting in the Capitol Thursday morning, The Hill reported.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are now planning to send a letter to Ryan requesting additional information regarding the dismissal, The Hill reported.
The Hill reported one unnamed Democratic lawmaker said Ryan was peeved with a prayer on the House floor that could have been perceived as being critical of the GOP tax-cut bill.
On Nov. 6 — the first day of the markup on the GOP's tax bill — Conroy, in a prayer, urged lawmakers to ensure the legislation did not exacerbate the nation's gaping class disparities.
"May all Members be mindful that the institutions and structures of our great Nation guarantee the opportunities that have allowed some to achieve great success, while others continue to struggle," Conroy prayed.
"May their efforts these days guarantee that there are not winners and losers under new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans."
But an unnamed senior GOP aide said the exit "was not because of any particular prayer."
Another Democratic source gave another reason for the ouster, saying: "Some of the more conservative evangelical Republicans didn't like that the Father had invited a Muslim person to give the opening prayer," The Hill reported.
AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said though it was Ryan's decision, Pelosi and her office "were fully read in and did not object" to the dismissal, The Hill reported.
Pelosi's office disputed that version.
"Leader Pelosi was given advance notice by Speaker Ryan," a Pelosi spokesman told The Hill, but she "also made it clear to Speaker Ryan that she disagreed with this decision."
Ryan, who is also Catholic, has appointed Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., an Air Force Reserve chaplain, as well as Reps. Mark Walker, R-N.C., and Tim Walberg, R-Mich., both former pastors, to lead the search effort to find a replacement.
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