Catholic and Luteran-Missouri Synod letters about Boy Scout vote

On My Honor.Net ^ | 3/27/2013 | John Stemberger

[MacNaughton]

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting released a sttement on the upcoming BSA National Council vote on the membership standards resolution to allow open homosexual youth to become members of BSA.

"... The Catholic Church teaches that those who experience same-sex attraction are always to be treated with dignity and respect. The Church also teaches that sexual acts belong within marriage, and that everyone – young or old, married or single – is called to chastity, through which we grow in our understanding of love. These teachings are especially important for those who serve as role models for young people. Because of this, the Church reserves the right to seek to place those who live by its teachings in leadership positions that serve our youth, as well as the right to continue to call our young people to live by the teachings of our faith and by moral truth which can be known by all.

The NCCS will respond to the outcome of the May 24 th vote according to the truths of our Catholic faith and in conformity with the Church’s teaching. The Church’s teaching on same-sex attraction as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church , nos. 2357-2359, and in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care (2006) will continue to be a fundamental reference point. The NCCS will continue to work with Catholic dioceses in their relationship with BSA and in assisting their guidance of troops affiliated with Catholic parishes and schools. ..."

The President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod released a statement on the upcoming BSA National Council vote on the membership standards resolution to allow open homosexual youth to become members of BSA.

From Pastor Matthew C. Harrison President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Western culture is at a crucial moment in history. After 103 years of existence, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) may vote to change drastically its membership policy. For those who may be unaware, the BSA, in recent months, has discussed allowing both gay Scouts and Scout leaders into its organization. Recently, however, the BSA has changed its course. Now the vote will determine only whether to include openly homosexual Scouts as members.

LCMS leaders have been carefully monitoring the proposed BSA policy changes. When news of the proposed change was made public, I sent a letter to BSA, imploring its leadership not to make the proposed policy change. And even though the initial proposal to focus on Scout leaders has been shelved, I believe the current proposal still has unknown implications for the future of BSA as well as LCMS support and involvement. The proposed change will highlight sexuality, which has not been and should not be a matter of focus for Scouts. I suspect it will make it more challenging to care for young people struggling with same-sex attraction and perhaps open our churches to legal action.

This vote matters to the LCMS. The proposed change in BSA policy on values and membership to include openly homosexual Scouts adversely affects, even supersedes, the authority of the local pastor and congregation by allowing and promoting a moral position that we as LCMS Lutherans believe is against the will of God and in opposition to Holy Scripture.

This vote matters because, if enacted, the proposed change to BSA policy on values and membership will cause a crisis of conscience for our church leaders, pastors, parents and congregations. Even if the decision of values and membership remains at the local level, Scouts from troops sponsored by congregations of the LCMS will be affected because, as part of the scouting program, they also participate at regional and national scouting activities.

This vote matters because, for more than a century, scouting has sought to uphold moral values at a level greater than that of general society. The capitulation now to societal pressures would mar the long and honorable history of the Boy Scouts to honor the natural law of God, which at least for now, is still reflected in the current scouting membership policy.

For these reasons, I and some 25 other Protestant church leaders have signed onto a statement, copied below, that implores BSA not to change its policy, noting that, “In our current culture, it’s more important than ever for our churches to protect and provide moral nurture for young people and for the Scouts.” The statement will be released in conjunction with its delivery to the BSA office and before the organization’s vote, which will take place May 24.

I share this with you today because it is difficult to know which of our LCMS BSA members will be part of the 1,400 members who will vote on the policy change later this month. I am hopeful that all of you will share this information with those in your congregation who are involved with BSA and even those in your community who will cast votes later this month.

As the church awaits the BSA vote, we still have much to do. We repent, and we pray. We confess Christ and elevate marriage among us. We do what the church does best: We bear witness to Christ, show mercy to those in our midst — including those challenged by same-sex attraction — and care for all in our life together.”

[NKP_Vet]

I could give a damn less what some once-a-year Mass attending “catholic” says.

The vast majority of devout Catholics that regularly attend Mass try to live their life by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Disregard the CINO (Catholics in name only).

People change, the Word of God does not. The Catholic Church will never treat abortion and homosexuality like it normal acceptable behavior. Open your Bible and read it. Catholics wrote it.

[darrellmaurina]

Bookmarked for future reference.