Referring to such debates as "very upsetting," Coughlin said that he "talked to members of the hierarchy on that as well as members of the House," telling Church leaders that he would "stay with my people whatever you do. I will be with my people whatever you do. I will hear them out. I will be with them." Coughlin has called this situation – the threat of using the liturgy "as a threat" – "one of the saddest stories I heard."