Bishop responds to Boy Scouts' decision on admission of homosexual members [CWN]

[zab]

The notification we got from our Chancellery office was to 'do what we thought was best"

And I have yet to hear of a bishop who reversed a pastor’s decision on this subject, one way or the other.

Likewise when a parish changed over from GSUSA to AHG. Most bishops don’t bat an eye.

So my impression is that the bishops are content with subsidiary at the parish level, both to start troops or to fold them.

And I will add that it was our Girl Scout Leaders who brought the concern to our former pastor. And it was they who decided that they could not in good conscience continue leading the Girl Scouts after what they had learned. There was no one who wanted to take their place. And it was parents of former Girl Scouts who researched and learned about AHG and then got permission to start up a troop in our parish. In a similar way, the Cub Scout Leaders approached our pastor with their concern but they waited for our pastor to make the final decision whether or not to continue parish sponsorship. I’m sure that our pastor gave this a lot of thought and prayerfully made his decision. He did not act hastily as some have thought.

 

[fix]

The notification we got from our Chancellery office was to 'do what we thought was best"

And I have yet to hear of a bishop who reversed a pastor’s decision on this subject, one way or the other.

Likewise when a parish changed over from GSUSA to AHG. Most bishops don’t bat an eye.

So my impression is that the bishops are content with subsidiary at the parish level, both to start troops or to fold them.

Not only that but it is a prudential decision for parents. For anyone to assert it is disobedient to decide one’s children ought not partake in the BSA for moral reasons do to this policy change is preposterous.

 

[Tigg]

And I will add that it was our Girl Scout Leaders who brought the concern to our former pastor. And it was they who decided that they could not in good conscience continue leading the Girl Scouts after what they had learned. There was no one who wanted to take their place. And it was parents of former Girl Scouts who researched and learned about AHG and then got permission to start up a troop in our parish. In a similar way, the Cub Scout Leaders approached our pastor with their concern but they waited for our pastor to make the final decision whether or not to continue parish sponsorship. I’m sure that our pastor gave this a lot of thought and prayerfully made his decision. He did not act hastily as some have thought.

Just as it should be!

CCC 9l0: “The laity can also feel called, or be in fact called, to cooperate with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community, for the sake of its growth and life.”

 

[Tigg]

Not only that but it is a prudential decision for parents. For anyone to assert it is disobedient to decide one’s children ought not partake in the BSA for moral reasons do to this policy change is preposterous.

Exactly so! Parents - be on watch - perform your duties with diligence.

 

[dcs]

Scouts and parents of this country need us and they need the Scouting movement, especially in light of the ever-increasing lapse of morals in America.

Scouting is a movement, not an organization.

 

[Joe_5859]

The notification we got from our Chancellery office was to 'do what we thought was best"

And I have yet to hear of a bishop who reversed a pastor’s decision on this subject, one way or the other.

Likewise when a parish changed over from GSUSA to AHG. Most bishops don’t bat an eye.

So my impression is that the bishops are content with subsidiary at the parish level, both to start troops or to fold them.

That makes sense. The important thing is for the youth to be served. Exactly what group or program is utilized in doing that is less important so long as that fundamental need is being met.

 

[gilliam]

Interesting article

, Catholics and the futureBoy Scouts

 

[gilliam]

That makes sense. The important thing is for the youth to be served. Exactly what group or program is utilized in doing that is less important so long as that fundamental need is being met.

I agree. As long as we are not teaching them that it is all right to participate in unjust discrimination

 

[JimG]

Interesting article

Religion: Boy Scouts, Catholics and the future

“Again, I’m not good at guessing which way things will play out,” he said. “But the principles for a Catholic approach here are pretty clear. Persons of the same sex cannot marry, so conduct implying that they can marry is either forbidden outright or is at least strongly discouraged on the grounds of prudence.”[/INDENT]
As of course, would be conduct implying that same sex relationships having a sexual component can be moral. I guess that BSA troops will need to be very careful with how this plays out.

 

[pnewton]

The notification we got from our Chancellery office was to 'do what we thought was best"

And I have yet to hear of a bishop who reversed a pastor’s decision on this subject, one way or the other.

Likewise when a parish changed over from GSUSA to AHG. Most bishops don’t bat an eye.

So my impression is that the bishops are content with subsidiary at the parish level, both to start troops or to fold them.

That is how it should be. Goodness knows that one cannot assume just because one’s own area is pretty safe that it is that way across the country, or the reverse.

 

[Kevin_B]

Consider this: same-sex attraction, standing alone, does not prohibit one from being a fully initiated Catholic. To argue, therefore, that, a Catholic parish must hold a sponsored organization to a higher membership standard than it holds itself to
is inconsistent.

This! I feel bad for any scouts whose troop is being ended because of this. There is absolutely nothing wrong in the Catholic faith with allowing non-practicing homosexuals to attend. The troops are being cancelled for purely political reasons, and the children are the losers.

 

[fix]

This! I feel bad for any scouts whose troop is being ended because of this. There is absolutely nothing wrong in the Catholic faith with allowing non-practicing homosexuals to attend. The troops are being cancelled for purely political reasons, and the children are the losers.

Non practicing includes not publicly endorsing “gay” ideology as normal and moral. If one suffers from such a disorder it is a private matter not one to be broadcast and seeking affirmation.

Those who pushed for this policy change are the political ones. They seek affirmation for disordered inclinations.

 

[Baelor]

Non practicing includes not publicly endorsing “gay” ideology as normal and moral. If one suffers from such a disorder it is a private matter not one to be broadcast and seeking affirmation.

Those who pushed for this policy change are the political ones. They seek affirmation for disordered inclinations.

The Church does not prohibit public disclosure of homosexuality.

The policy’s quality has nothing to do with who is backing it.

 

[Kevin_B]

Non practicing includes not publicly endorsing “gay” ideology as normal and moral. If one suffers from such a disorder it is a private matter not one to be broadcast and seeking affirmation.

Can you show me where the Church has said that non-practicing homosexuals must not disclose their sexuality? Thanks.

 

[zab]

Can you show me where the Church has said that non-practicing homosexuals must not disclose their sexuality? Thanks.

usccb.org/about/doctrine/publications/homosexual-inclination-guidelines-pastoral-care.cfm
“For some persons, revealing their homosexual tendencies to certain close friends, family members, a spiritual director, confessor, or members of a Church support group may provide some spiritual and emotional help and aid them in their growth in the Christian life. In the context of parish life, however, general public self- disclosures are not helpful and should not be encouraged.”

 

[fix]

Can you show me where the Church has said that non-practicing homosexuals must not disclose their sexuality? Thanks.

It is not encouraged.

1. The “sexual orientation” of a person is not comparable to race, sex, age, etc. also for another reason than that given above which warrants attention. An individual’s sexual orientation is generally not known to others unless he publicly identifies himself as having this orientation or unless some overt behavior manifests it. As a rule, the majority of homosexually oriented persons who seek to lead chaste lives do not publicize their sexual orientation. Hence the problem of discrimination in terms of employment, housing, etc., does not usually arise.

 

[fix]

The Church does not prohibit public disclosure of homosexuality.

She does not encourage it.

The policy’s quality has nothing to do with who is backing it.

To deny the push for the change is to deny reality. The quality of the policy is directly related to the quality of enforcement. Words on paper are words on paper.

 

[Kevin_B]

She does not encourage it.

And neither do the Boy Scouts.

They only allow it, just like the Church. We should be happy they are completely in line with our theological position.

 

[Baelor]

usccb.org/about/doctrine/publications/homosexual-inclination-guidelines-pastoral-care.cfm
“For some persons, revealing their homosexual tendencies to certain close friends, family members, a spiritual director, confessor, or members of a Church support group may provide some spiritual and emotional help and aid them in their growth in the Christian life. In the context of parish life, however, general public self- disclosures are not helpful and should not be encouraged.”

The context is limited to parish life. This context is clearly so important that it prefaces the actual statement.

We are not talking about parish life.

She does not encourage it.

That is something else entirely. She does not actively and universally discourage it in non-parochial settings either.

Thus the suggestion that it is a private matter has 1) No moral basis, and 2) Is irrelevant to those who disclose publicly for reasons other than seeking affirmation.

To deny the push for the change is to deny reality.

Where did I deny the push for the change?

The quality of the policy is directly related to the quality of enforcement. Words on paper are words on paper.

Indeed. So?

 

[fix]

And neither do the Boy Scouts.

They only allow it, just like the Church. We should be happy they are completely in line with our theological position.

That remains to be seen.