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U.S. House chaplain helps politicos cope with frustration, criticism
by Nathan Byrne
Behind the hustle-and-bustle of Capitol Hill sits a man prepared to help
Representatives keep their House in order.
“Time is so limited for them,” Father Daniel Coughlin says of his
politician peers. “So, I’m there, ready to respond when called by them.”
Father Coughlin’s sentiments ring true as he keeps a flexible schedule to
accommodate the busy schedules of those who need him. The call typically comes from
politicians pondering pressures of the job. As a man of the cloth, it’s his job
to keep them from throwing in the towel.
“Like most Americans, they’re idealists,” says Father Coughlin.
“But the art of politics is the art of compromise, and that’s why I think
Americans often enough are very, very critical, because they can’t achieve the
ideal.”
Father Daniel Goughlin, the first Catholic chaplain to the U.S. House of
Representatives spoke to seminarians and celebrated Mass at Conception
Seminary College.
Photo by Gerald Curran
Father Coughlin reminds Representatives that meeting goals takes time. When
he’s on-the-clock, he hopes to help heal those under his watch.
“It’s always a work-in-progress and sometimes Americans need immediate
satisfaction, immediate results,” Father Coughlin explains. “I listen to a
lot of pain, a lot of frustration.”
Students at Conception Seminary College recently listened to Father Coughlin’s
version of a political science lecture. The chaplain visited Northwest Missouri to give
a day of recollection in the seminary, as well as to see his good friend, Abbot Gregory
Polan. On this stop, Father Coughlin made a go of passing knowledge to those who could
potentially shape the future of his trade.
“(I hope to) explain a little bit more about government and Congress from my
perspective,” says Father Coughlin. “I think it’s honorable and
respectful of these men and women who really are expending themselves and trying to do
what is best for the government.”
Photo by Gerald Curran
Those efforts, though, can pressure politicos. Not to say hard work goes without
rewards, but winding up on the wrong end of a Beltway chess game proves painful for
political pawns.
“Everything is political in Washington,” Father Coughlin says
matter-of-factly. “Sometimes the people with the best intentions can really get
criticized.”
Admitting that the criticism can toughen politicians, Father Coughlin considers it a
good thing. Yet he hopes to take that character development a step further.
“The art of compromise is sometimes not artfully done,” remarks Father
Coughlin. “I’d like to see a lot more civility there.”
The Chaplain himself has become something of an artisan in this compromising craft
– just ask him where he stands during a vote.
“Republican door for a while, Democratic door for a while,” Father
Coughlin claims apolitically. “They know where to come to me, if they want to see
me.”
Visibility is something Father Coughlin sees as important, but he once had a vision
of indivisibility. When he started as Chaplain in March 2000, he asked Representatives
to pray for unity. After spending some time together, he developed a certain respect
for the differences that exist between politicians.
“I think it’s good that there’s diversity, difference of opinions,”
says Father Coughlin. “The art of compromise to get a consensus is the tough part.”
Standing outside the political arena, yet immersed in all its action, Father Coughlin
carries the principal responsibility of keeping prayer alive in the formal sessions of
Congress.
So, as the Constitution draws a division between church and state, it also creates
chaplains, whose careers exist on both sides of the line at the same time.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
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