Washington D.C., May 3, 2018 / 15:22 pm
About two weeks after resigning, Chaplain of the House of Representatives Fr. Patrick J. Conroy, S.J. rescinded his resignation and informed Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) that he intends on staying in his role through his term.
In a letter sent to Ryan on May 3, Conroy said that if the speaker still wished for him to leave his role, he would have to fire him. The priest said that he would not be submitting another letter of resignation.
In a statement released later that day, Ryan said that he accepts Fr. Conroy's letter and has "decided that he will remain in his position as Chaplain of the House."
"My original decision was made in what I believed to be the best interest of this institution," Ryan said. "To be clear, that decision was based on my duty to ensure that the House has the kind of pastoral services that it deserves. It is my job as speaker to do what is best for this body, and I know that this body is not well served by a protracted fight over such an important post."