The chaplain of the House said on Thursday that he was blindsided when Speaker Paul D. Ryan asked him to resign two weeks ago, a request that he complied with but was never given a reason for.<\/p>\n
The sudden resignation of the chaplain, the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, shocked members of both parties. He had served in the role since he was nominated in 2011 by Speaker John A. Boehner, a fellow Catholic. In an interview, Father Conroy was categorical: His departure was not voluntary.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was asked to resign, that is clear,\u201d Father Conroy said. As for why, he added, \u201cthat is unclear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly wasn\u2019t given anything in writing,\u201d he said. \u201cCatholic members on both sides are furious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Father Conroy said he received the news from Mr. Ryan\u2019s chief of staff. \u201cThe speaker would like your resignation,\u201d Father Conroy recalled being told. He complied.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Paul Ryan asked the House of Representatives\u2019 chaplain to resign without an explanation via @NYTimes<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/QCb4Yfzmtx<\/a><\/p>\n — CAPfaith (@CAPfaith) April 27, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n