Updated: 11:44 a.m.

The first Roman Catholic priest to serve as chaplain of the House said he will soon retire. House Chaplain Daniel Coughlin told Roll Call Wednesday that he has informed Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that he will retire “sometime this year.”

Coughlin said he will return to Illinois, where he has worked for most of his career.

“I’ll go back to the Archdiocese of Chicago, where I’m from,” he said.

Coughlin was chosen to be House chaplain by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and has served since 2000. Boehner, who is also Roman Catholic, will appoint the next chaplain.