“You sometimes have to make decisions on behalf of the institution that may not be politically popular,” Ryan said. “Father Conroy is a good man, and I’m grateful for his many years of service to the House.”

Ryan added, “This was not about politics or prayers, it was about pastoral services. And a number of our members felt like the pastoral services were not being adequately served, or offered.”

He was not specific about what pastoral services weren’t being offered.