Pelosi Again Supports Chaplain Nominee, Catholic Sentinel, May 12, 2011

Pelosi Again Supports Chaplain Nominee

Catholic Sentinel
May 12, 2011

http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=15120

Fr. Pat Conroy gives the homily at a Jesuit High baccalaureate Mass.

U.S. House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi briefly reconsidered her support for an Oregon Jesuit nominated as House chaplain after getting notice that the Oregon Province of Jesuits had just paid $166 million for more than 400 claims of child sexual abuse.

But after asking more questions, Pelosi has re-upped her backing for Father Patrick Conroy, a teacher, coach and campus minister at Jesuit High School who has no link to child sexual abuse, other than once reporting a suspected diocesan priest to church authorities.

A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, who made the the nomination, said the settlement had "absolutely nothing to do with Father Conroy."

A victim of sexual assault by a different Oregon Province Jesuit in Alaska told Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, that the Speaker's choice was insensitive to her and the other Native American children who were abused.

Father Patrick Lee, superior of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, said in a statement that he was “deeply disappointed” by the reaction to Father Conroy’s nomination.

“Father Conroy is an excellent priest worthy of the nomination made by Speaker Boehner,” Lee said. “He has never been the subject of an allegation of child abuse.”