June 19, 2013

Recently, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) modified its membership policy for youth:  “No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”  According to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), this policy change means:
• A youth will not be prevented from receiving a rank award or religious emblem simply for having a same-sex attraction.
• A youth will not need to hide the fact that he experiences this attraction, but a youth also will not be encouraged or pressured to disclose publically such attraction.
• A youth experiencing same-sex attraction should not be afraid that he will be expelled by the Scouting community by disclosing such attraction.

How are we as Catholics to respond? The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:  Individuals who disclose a homosexual inclination or same sex attraction are to be treated with the same dignity due all human beings created by God.  Christians owe all persons respect and love…regardless of their sexual orientation because all people are respected and loved by God (cf.2358 & 2359).   This teaching is the guiding principle for enrollment into our Catholic Schools, sports programs and Catholic youth ministry. As it stands, the BSA policy change is consistent with this teaching and is, therefore, acceptable.

However, as we are accepting of the policy at this time, we must also be ever vigilant.  Some are pushing an agenda with this decision that is not consonant with Church moral teaching.  They say that this policy change of the BSA is a “good first step.”  Over the next couple of months, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting will establish a task force to develop guidelines to assist diocesan committees in understanding the issues associated with the change in the BSA youth membership standard and offer insights on what this means for the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America in the future. 

Again, as it currently stands, the policy change appears to respect this teaching.  However, if those who wish to further their agenda of “many more steps” succeed, our Catholic Church’s valued partnership with the BSA will be in jeopardy.   Please join me in prayer that this does not come about.  Scouting has a long and proud tradition in our North Country.  I pray that it will not be hijacked by those with other agendas.