House Pastor

April 14 marked the last day of Father Daniel J. Coughlin's tenure as chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. Fr. Coughlin was the first Catholic priest to serve in that role, and he held the position for 11 years. Here he speaks about some of his most difficult moments as chaplain, notably the tragedy of 9/11 and the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabriella Giffords. He also asks for the prayers of all people of faith for both the chaplain and the members of the House, whom he argues approach the duties of their office with moral seriousness. Scroll to minute 4:39 to hear Fr. Coughlin's comments on the controversy surrounding denying communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians: "One of the saddest stories I heard and experienced," he says.