On September 12 and 13, Reverend Coughlin united Republicans, Democrats and Independents together by offering prayers before start of business at the U.S. House of Representatives. Coughlin’s duties as House Chaplain include delivering the morning prayer and providing counsel to House members — duties which following the terrorist attacks and anthrax scares became more important than ever. President Bush, realizing the importance of prayer as a medium of healing, designated September 14, 2001 as a national day of prayer and remembrance and attended an interfaith prayer service in Washington D.C. on that day.
Republicans and Democrats alike had applauded Reverend Coughlin’s appointment in March 2000 as the first Roman Catholic priest and first non-Protestant to serve as chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Chicago-born Coughlin traces his Irish roots to County Cork. ♦
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