WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - The Republican National Committee announced on Monday that it will host a special Mass for new House of Representatives chaplain Father Daniel Coughlin on Tuesday.

    The Mass at a church near Capitol Hill will honor the first Catholic chaplain of the House following months of controversy over the selection of the new chaplain. Some Democrats and Catholic activists had charged the GOP leadership with anti-Catholic sentiment after initially selecting a Protestant minister over a Catholic priest. Father Coughlin was the surprise replacement pick of House Speaker Dennis Hastert last month to end the controversy, after the initial successor stepped aside. The priest at the center of the controversy was again overlooked as the new chaplain.

    Many secular media outlets and Democrats have portrayed the initial controversy, the subsequent selection of Father Coughlin, and the planned Mass as a politicized attempt to court the favor of Catholic voters. "There is nothing political about this," said RNC spokesman Mike Collins. "In fact, they're inviting Democratic and Republican members (of Congress). ... This is a chance for Father Coughlin to meet the Capitol Hill community and for them to meet him."