House Speaker Mike Johnson Pursues New House Chaplain
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is on the hunt for a new chaplain to serve the House, working alongside Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to create a smooth transition plan.
This move follows a recent prayer delivered by the current chaplain, Rev. Margaret Kibben, on January 6, which sought divine guidance for lawmakers amid perceived internal threats.
Reports from Punchbowl News, which first highlighted the story, reveal that Rev. Kibben is currently designated as the “acting chaplain.” Johnson’s office confirmed to Religion News Service on January 12 that he is indeed looking for a new appointee and is cooperating with the minority leader on this selection process.
However, they did not elaborate on the reasons behind this change.
Potential Candidacy of Becky Tirabassi
Questions regarding the potential candidacy of Becky Tirabassi, a nondenominational Christian and co-pastor at Viewpoint Church in Newport Beach, California, went unanswered.
Tirabassi’s previous experience includes serving as a guest chaplain for the House in 2017.
Her candidacy marks a shift away from the recent trend of appointing chaplains with formal training, who are typically adept at working across various faith traditions.
Tirabassi actively engages with Capitol Hill, often sharing devotional messages through her initiative, “The Lead House,” which she started in 2019 to encourage congressional members to pray for national renewal.
Although her podcasts generally steer clear of direct political commentary, she frequently discusses her hopes for a religious revival in the country, stressing the importance of prayer for lawmakers as they navigate issues of governance.
Kibben’s Tenure as Chaplain
Should Johnson proceed with this initiative, it would signal the end of Kibben’s tenure as chaplain.
Kibben made history in 2020 when she became the first female House chaplain, following her appointment by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
When asked about her potential successor, she stated that the decision was out of her hands and affirmed her commitment to serving in her role for as long as God wills.
Kibben’s time as chaplain has not been without its challenges.
Her appointment occurred just as the nation faced the January 6 Capitol insurrection, during which she provided urgent support to lawmakers and prayed for their safety amidst the turmoil.
Since then, she has often drawn attention with her prayers that call for healing and unity, particularly during contentious moments like the debates over pandemic relief.
Most recently, on the anniversary of the January 6 attack, her prayer attracted attention when it was attended exclusively by Democrats.
Positioned at a key entrance to the Capitol, she encouraged believers to dedicate themselves to serving God ardently, especially in the face of both internal and external threats.
The process of appointing a new House chaplain can be intricate.
A notable case occurred in 2018, when then-Speaker Paul Ryan asked Rev. Patrick Conroy to resign.
Although Conroy initially agreed, he later retracted his resignation after understanding that he had been elected to the position rather than appointed.
His objections to the reasoning behind the request led him to remain chaplain until 2021, ultimately wrapping up a decade of service.
Source: Religionnews
