Anti-Catholicism in the House?

Christian Century, Dec 22, 1999

A BATTLE has erupted on Capitol Hill over the selection of a new chaplain for the U.S. 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.

In early December, 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 committee that spent months screening nearly 50 candidates and eventually decided, via secret ballot, that a Roman Catholic priest, Timothy O'Brien, was the best choice. A political scientist who heads the Marquette University Center for Government, Father O'Brien said in telephone interview: "I am convinced that if I were a mainline Protestant minister and not a Catholic priest, I would be the candidate."

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 Religious Right. Although Wright himself has no connection whatsoever with the Religious Right, observers have suggested that its supporters would be happier with a Protestant in the post than a Catholic.

Other members of Congress openly accused Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R., Ill.) and Majority Leader Dick Armey (R., Tex.) 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. She noted that O'Brien was the top vote-getter among both Republican and Democrats on the House selection committee. Hastert and Armey said in a letter to fellow House Republicans that Wright demonstrated the best interpersonal and counseling skills.

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 nondiscrimination," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United. In a letter to Hastert, 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 chaplains since its founding in 1789. The House 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 (see M.E.M.O, p. 1281). 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 counseling for members of Congress and their staffs, participates in public ceremonies and coordinates the use of the House of Representatives prayer room.

Former chaplains have included Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Unitarian, Congregational, Episcopal 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 then selected six of the candidates, interviewed them again and secretly picked the final three. Wright's selection will be formally addressed and voted on when the House of Representatives reconvenes in session in January.