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First up from the God Machine this week is an unexpected controversy over Republicans’ choice to be the new House Chaplain.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) introduced the Rev. Patrick Conroy as his choice last week, and Conroy, a Catholic priest, was poised to become only the second non-Protestant pastor to become the official House Chaplain in American history. This week, however, the selection ran into some trouble.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is reconsidering her support for a Catholic priest nominated as House chaplain after learning that he works for a Jesuit group ordered to pay $166 million for more than 400 claims of child sexual abuse.
A spokesman for the California Democrat told Roll Call on Tuesday night that Speaker John Boehner’s office did not tell Pelosi about the March settlement — the largest ever by a single religious order to victims of sexual abuse — by the Rev. Patrick Conroy’s current employer, the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus.
“We are most sympathetic to the concerns of the families [of victims] and take their views very seriously,” spokesman Drew Hammill said in an email. “Mr. Boehner has now provided us with additional, new information. As with the information he provided earlier along with his recommendation, we will now review these new materials.”
Conroy has never been accused of abusing children or participating in the Roman Catholic Church’s larger cover-up. His role in a scandal-plagued order, however, gave some pause, however, about being elevated to a prestigious role in Congress.
Indeed, there were some Democratic concerns that Boehner’s office was less than forthcoming when it came to informing other members about Conroy’s background.
As the week progressed, Pelosi’s concerns appeared to have been assuaged, putting Conroy on track for approval. The story did get me thinking, though, about why the House finds it necessary to spend our money to pay a religious leader to politicians’ spiritual needs. It’s a diverse body of 435 people, who are more than capable of seeking religious counsel on their own.
If Boehner thinks “we’re broke” and he’s looking for spending cuts, why not make the House Chaplain a volunteer post?
Also from the God Machine this week:
* Bahrain: “In Shiite villages across this island kingdom of 1.2 million, the Sunni Muslim government has bulldozed dozens of mosques as part of a crackdown on Shiite dissidents, an assault on human rights that is breathtaking in its expansiveness.” (thanks to R.P.)
* In Iran, allies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have been charged with “sorcery,” and stand accused of “using supernatural powers to further his policies.”
* The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) became the latest denomination to allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers, elders, and deacons.
* A Seattle-area atheist will look after your pets in the event of the Rapture. He already has 250 clients. (thanks to M.W. for the tip)
* And a newspaper catering to ultra-Orthodox Jews in New York apologized this week for editing out the women out of the famous photograph of the White House Situation Room during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
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DAY on May 14, 2011 9:48 AM:
"This Week in God" continues to be astonishing and/or hilarious, week after week.
The Devil does indeed find work for idle (idol?) minds!
AK Liberal on May 14, 2011 9:58 AM:
A Seattle-area atheist will look after your pets in the event of the Rapture. He already has 250 clients.
At $135 each, why didn't I think of that?
kevo on May 14, 2011 10:02 AM:
As in supernatural voter fraud?
Hey Mullahs - the dude at the top of your "legislative body" is a goon plain and simple! Start practicing the democracy that matters, you know, the form where your people have the liberty to worship, feed themselves, speak their minds, and not worry about the smiting hand of an unjust authority!
And maybe those "sorcerers" won't be around to abuse the Iranian people as you plan for Iran's future among the nations of our world!
As for the Congressional Chaplain issue, let the Congress people pray among themselves throughout the halls of our people's Chambers all they want, but just don't do it on my dime when worship should come freely! -Kevo
c u n d gulag on May 14, 2011 10:06 AM:
How about they roll through military chaplains instead of having their own?
Think of the honor for that military chaplain. He/She can be put up there for a week.
gelfling545 on May 14, 2011 10:07 AM:
Check out the book "How to Profit from the Coming Rapture" for a host of business opportunities.
DAY on May 14, 2011 10:31 AM:
just now (10:30 Sat AM) Boner was given an honorary degree by Catholic University. And promptly burst into tears!
-maybe he's been into the Communion wine. . .
berttheclock on May 14, 2011 10:34 AM:
Perhaps, Boehner wanted help for the House softball team. The learned Conroy was an assistant coach for the JVIIs at Jesuit High School. I'm sure it had nothing to do with any thoughts about Roe v. Wade, eh?
Athena on May 14, 2011 10:37 AM:
DAY, we know he's a very "spirit"ual person...
TCinLA on May 14, 2011 10:56 AM:
Bahrain: “In Shiite villages across this island kingdom of 1.2 million, the Sunni Muslim government has bulldozed dozens of mosques as part of a crackdown on Shiite dissidents, an assault on human rights that is breathtaking in its expansiveness.”
And the US-led bombing campaign against the wicked leader of Bahrain, in response to this outrage, will begin in...
five...
four...
three...
two...
one...
SOUND F/X: Crickets CHIRPING.
dj spellchecka on May 14, 2011 11:00 AM:
my nominee for religious leader of the week...
Jim Moats, the pastor at Christian Bible Fellowship Church in Newville, Penn., told his church for five years that he was a former SEAL, and even once wore the elite program's gold Trident medal around town.
He elaborated on that tale when his local paper contacted him last week as it was reporting a story about the rigors of SEAL training in the wake of the SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound.
Several former SEALs wrote into The Patriot-News casting doubt on the reverend's account of his service.
"We deal with these guys all the time, especially the clergy. It's amazing how many of the clergy are involved in those lies to build that flock up," said retired SEAL Don Shipley. Shipley also speculated the waterboarding and kitchen details came from the action depicted in "Under Siege."
Moats fessed up to his whopper, and admitted he bought the Trident medal at a military surplus store.
source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110509/us_yblog_thelookout/local-pastor-made-up-elaborate-navy-seal-tale
yellowdog on May 14, 2011 12:10 PM:
If Obama had hired somebody with this link, I wonder what would top the news? If he cried all the time? If he skipped going to Arizona for a memorial service? If he ran around golfing with lobbyists? If he gave policy speeches that were incoherent? If he said he planned to focus on jobs but spent all his time pushing abortion measures? Boehner is the (orange) face of the House GOP. I'm thinking the more we he does, the better Obama looks.
navamske on May 14, 2011 12:14 PM:
Fixed.
JustBeingPedantic on May 14, 2011 1:24 PM:
Why would the House be paying a Jesuit priest who's taken a vow of poverty?
Ilskeptic on May 14, 2011 2:39 PM:
The atheist is being paid in advance, right?
John Herbison on May 14, 2011 5:41 PM:
When I read the post-Rapture health care story (many months ago), I thought about what legal or equitable remedy would be available in the event of non-performance. The pets are third party beneficiaries of the contract, but would likely not have standing to sue. I surmised that the departed person's estate would have a cause of action, but would one create a decedent's estate (though the departed is not dead) or an absentee estate (though the departed would not be expected to return)?
drew on May 14, 2011 5:47 PM:
A Seattle-area atheist will look after your pets in the event of the Rapture. He already has 250 clients. (thanks to M.W. for the tip)
i hope they paid in advance.
Skip on May 14, 2011 7:07 PM:
What if the Rapture comes and God in His perverseness, takes up the atheist? Who's going to watch his pets?
PS: Totally LOVE Captcha. Na, just kidding.
ededifin Claufe be to you.
exlibra on May 14, 2011 7:58 PM:
Nothing to add, but the Captcha was so on target to the thread, I couldn't resist:
"has SAPeter"