How to pray for your (political) enemies: Advice from the Chaplain to the U.S. House

JesuiticalOctober 16, 2020

Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash

Father Pat Conroy has served as the 60th chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011 (with a brief interruption thanks to former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan). He’s a Jesuit priest, but that doesn’t mean he’s the Catholic chaplain—he’s chaplain to all 435 members.

We talk to Father Conroy about his role, what Americans don’t understand about their representatives and what his prayer for our country is as we head into a heated presidential election.

During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Carlo Acutis, who is on the way to becoming the first millennial saint, and ask why Pope Francis won’t wear a mask, even with rising Covid-19 cases at the Vatican.

If you haven’t had the time to read all of Pope Francis’ new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” we have some good news. Jesuitical is sponsoring a virtual reading group happy hour (yes, that means over drinks) throughout the month of November for Patreon supporters. For more details about that and how to support the show, visit our Patreon page.

Links from the show:

Jesuit House chaplain prays to expel ‘darker spirits’ from the U.S. Capitol
Report: House chaplain, a Jesuit priest, was forced out by Speaker Paul Ryan
Teen was ‘influencer for God,’ mother says on eve of son’s beatification
Podcast: Covid cases are rising in Vatican City. Is Pope Francis at risk?

What’s on tap?

Champagne + Prosecco, to celebrate some good news.

More: Election 2020 / Prayer / US Politics

Jesuitical

A podcast from the young, hip and lay editors of America Media. Hosted by Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis.

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