wfn.org | Capitol Hill Embroiled in Controversy, Catholic Chaplain Rejected

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

5-January-2000 
00005 
 
    Capitol Hill Embroiled in Controversy after 
    Catholic Is Rejected as Chaplain 
 
    Anti-Catholic bias is charged after priest is 
    bypassed for a Presbyterian 
 
    by Cheryl Heckler-Feltz 
    Ecumenical News International 
 
WASHINGTON - A battle has erupted on Capitol Hill over the selection of a 
new chaplain for the United States House of Representatives. 
 
    Some observers claim that a Roman Catholic priest was deliberately 
passed over for the post because an historic anti-Catholic sentiment has 
permeated American government since its founding, while others suggest that 
a Protestant was selected to please the conservative evangelical political 
force known as the Religious Right. 
 
    Two weeks ago, House Republican leaders announced they had selected 
Charles Parker Wright, a Presbyterian minister, as the new chaplain. 
 
    This surprised many of the 18 members of the House select committee who 
spent months screening nearly 50 candidates and eventually decided - via 
secret ballot - that a Roman Catholic priest, Timothy O'Brien, was the best 
choice. 
 
    When House leaders passed over O'Brien - who would have been the first 
non-Protestant in the post - opponents cried foul.  Meanwhile, Americans 
United for the Separation of Church and State called for the position 
itself - which pays $135,200 annually and has an additional office budget 
of $277,000 annually - to be abolished. 
 
    Some members of Congress openly speculated that House leaders were 
pandering to the Christian Right, a political movement which began 20 years 
ago as a grass-roots cause among conservative Christians to influence 
American politics. 
 
    The Religious Right is largely credited with the 1994 election upset 
when Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives for the 
first time since the 1950s.  Although Wright himself has no connection 
whatsoever with the Religious Right, observers have suggested that 
supporters of the Religious Right would be happier with a Protestant in the 
post than a Catholic. 
 
    Other members of Congress openly accused Speaker of the House Dennis 
Haestert and Majority Leader Dick Armey with being anti-Catholic. 
 
    "As a member of the House and a member of the committee and as a 
Catholic, I'm offended and resentful," Anna G. Eshoo, a Democrat from 
California, told the New York Times. 
 
    Meanwhile, representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union and 
Americans United say the Congress should end the sniping and abolish the 
position. 
 
    "The charge of religious bigotry damages the reputation of the House 
and undermines the public's confidence in the House leadership's commitment 
to religious non-discrimination," said Barry Lynn, executive director of 
Americans United. 
 
    In a letter to Haestert, Lynn said, "The answer is not to try to 
improve the selection process, but to abolish the post of House chaplain." 
 
    In fact, Congress has had a chaplain since its founding in 1789.  The 
post became a full-time job in 1979, and James B. Ford, a Lutheran minister 
who retires at the end of this month, has held the job for the past 21 
years. 
 
    According to House rules, "the Chaplain shall attend at the 
commencement of each sitting [daily session] of the House and open the same 
with prayer." 
 
    The chaplain also provides private counselling for members of congress 
and their staffs, participates in public ceremonies and co-ordinates the 
use of the House of Representatives prayer room. 
 
    Former chaplains have included Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, 
Unitarian, Congregational, Episcopal (Anglican) and Lutheran clergy.  No 
Catholic has ever held the post. Neither has a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist or 
Hindu. 
 
    The search committee originally considered nearly 50 candidates, then 
narrowed the list to 17, who were interviewed.  The committee selected six 
of the candidates, interviewed them again and then secretly selected the 
final three. 
 
    Wright's selection will be formally addressed and voted on when the 
House of Representatives reconvenes in session in January. 

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