Follow-up to removal of ban on gay troop leaders
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will be keeping and eye on how a recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America impacts local troops that are sponsored by Catholic parishes.
A joint memo from the archdiocesan attorney and the family life director to clergy and others who work with Boy Scout troops offered detailed information about the Scout’s resolution and “a few observations,” the memo noted.
It pointed out that because the Scout’s resolution that lifted the ban on gay troop leaders also includes language that affirms the rights of religious organizations that sponsor troops, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting had given its approval of the resolution.
The local Church’s guidance added, “The NCCS recognizes there is some uncertainty as to how the resolution and church rights will operate in practice, but they acknowledge the resolution respects the needs of Catholic chartered organizations. . . In light of the uncertainty mentioned by the NCCS, the archdiocese intends to monitor the situation.”
The memo was under the signature of Joseph Kueppers, chancellor for civil affairs, and Jean Stolpestad, director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Life.
In the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, Bishop David Kagan ordered Catholic parishes, schools and institutions to sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America because of the decision to allow openly gay troop leaders.
