BishopAccountability.org
	An Oregon Province Jesuit As US House Chaplain? National Survivor Advocates Coalition May 12, 2011 http://nationalsurvivoradvocatescoalition.wordpress.com/editorials/ A Jesuit of the Oregon Province, Father Patrick Conroy has been nominated to be the 60th chaplain of the United State House of Representatives. The nomination was made on May 6. The full House is expected to vote on the nomination within two weeks. As readers of NSAC News are well aware, in late March, the Oregon Province of the Jesuits settled lawsuits with approximately 500 victims by agreeing to a $166.1 settlement, the largest sexual abuse settlement by a religious order in the United States. Victims’ lawyers said that 57 Jesuit priests or brothers of the Oregon Province had abused. Even before this settlement and the Northwest Jesuits filing for bankruptcy in 2009, the Oregon Province of the Jesuits had settled 200 abuse cases for about $84 million. The Oregon Province covers Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. Many of the victims were Native Americans or Alaska Natives. When Speaker of the House John Boehner made the announcement of the nomination the news release said the announcement was made in concert with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Subsequently, it has been reported, Leader Pelosi pulled back from her consent but last evening news stories reported that after a second look at the nomination she saw “no obstacle” to Father Conroy being confirmed for the post. This is the not the time to place a member of the Oregon Province of the Jesuits in a position of privilege and influence. This is not about whether a priest who abused has been nominated. Father Conroy is not one of the 57 Oregon Province abusers included in the lawsuits. This is about the distinction of this office, and how the United States House of the Representatives views the selection and confirmation of the chaplain. This is not a voluntary position. The US House chaplain is paid roughly $170,000. This is public money. Members of religious orders are bound together for good or for ill. It’s the nature of the organization. “The Company”, as the Jesuits are known, has dealt with sexual abuse in the same way as bishops: denial and cover up until sued, bankruptcy filing when cases moved to real court dates, settlements to keep victims from telling their stories in open court. There has not been from this elite corps of the Church vigor of action and resources to set a new course for the protection of children or access to justice for victims who have been denied it because of short span statute of limitations. The bulwark of the old ways remains. This nomination should be withdrawn. If the Speaker does not see the light then as we seek to form a more perfect union, establish justice and promote the general welfare, sacrifices must be made. Father Conroy should have the good sense to ask that his name be withdrawn. If he doesn’t then a Superior of the Oregon Province needs to take action to this end. This is not about egos, friendships, school affiliations, admirations or who will be the first to back down. We are not engaged in a school yard brawl. We are asking for serious, sensible, sensitive leadership from the Speaker and all members of the US House. The pool to choose a person for US House chaplain is not small. By the Yearbook of American and Canadian Church’s count there are 600,000 men and women serving as clergy in various denominations in the United States not including those serving in independent churches. By the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ count 40,788 of them are priests in the United States. Father Conroy whose nomination comes with a sting and slap for victims is hardly the only choice for this post. Please speak out on this issue. Contact Speaker Boehner and your representative to the United States House today. Here is the link for an easy to use website to obtain email addresses and phone numbers for members of the United States Congress www.contactingthecongress.org Kristine Ward, Chair, NSAC
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