At least he didn’t do an exorcism.
After chaotic debates on Capitol Hill this week, the Chaplain of the House of Representatives on Thursday prayed to “cast out all spirits of darkness” from the chamber.
“This has been a difficult and contentious week in which darker spirits seemed to have been at play in the people’s house,” Rev. Patrick Conroy began, according to C-SPAN.
The Jesuit priest then closed his eyes and dramatically raised his arms as he said: “In your most holy name I now cast out all spirits of darkness from this chamber.”
“I cast out the spirit of discouragement which deadens the hope of those who are of good will,” he said.
“I cast out the spirit of petty divisiveness which clouds the sense and the desire to be of fruitful productivity and addressing the issues more appropriately before this House.”
“I cast out any sadness brought on by the frustration of dealing with matters detrimental to the honorable work each member has been called to engage in,” Conroy added.
At times, the prayers sounded more like the Catholic Church’s old Rite of Exorcism.
And Conroy, 68, told CNN that echo was intentional.
But he added that the prayer, which he wrote himself, was more inspired by the traditional blessings on homes or other buildings.
“Anoint your servants here in the House with a healing balm to comfort and renew the souls of all in this assembly,” Conroy prayed. “May your spirit of wisdom and patience descend upon all so that any spirit of darkness might have no place in our midst.”
The chaplain is responsible for opening the House each day with a prayer and counseling lawmakers and aides on both sides of the aisle.
Conroy has been the House chaplain since 2011.
Last year, he resigned under pressure from then-Speaker Paul Ryan’s staffers after they gave him the impression he would be fired. He then rescinded his resignation.