Lab Advisor elected Chaplain to US House of Representatives

The Lab is thrilled to pass along the news that Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, former Chief of the Chaplains of the US Navy and Chief of Chaplains for the US Marines, has been elected Chaplain to the United States House of Representatives. Admiral Kibben is also an advisor to the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab.

From Dustin Jones at NPR:

As chaplain, Kibben will lead House members in a daily opening prayer as well as other ceremonies. The chaplain also provides pastoral counseling to House members, coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains and arranges memorial services for House members and staff.

Kibben was selected by a bipartisan committee of House members, whose recommendation was accepted by Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She replaces retiring Rev. Pat Conroy, a Roman Catholic priest who has served as chaplain since 2011.

Kibben’s military career spans more than 30 years. On top of her bachelor’s degree, Kibben received her doctorate of ministry and a master’s of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She also studied national security and strategic studies at the Naval War College.

Kibben also served with the Marine Corps in multiple chaplain positions, including Chaplain of the Marine Corps from 2010 to 2014. She has five deployments under her belt, including at least one to Afghanistan as senior chaplain. Most recently she served as a consultant with the Department of the Navy’s Sexual Assault and Prevention Office.

Congratulations, Admiral Kibben!