Posted on 05/29/2013 6:26:28 AM PDT by llevrok
BREMERTON, Wash. -- On the heels of a historic decision by the Boy Scouts of America, a local priest is making history of his own. He's among the first in the country to cut all ties to the scouts, now that the organization has agreed to allow openly gay members.
Father Derek Lappe is the priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton.
For years, the church has served as the chartering organization for BSA Troop 1501 in Kitsap County.
"We do things like scout Sunday at mass, the boys are just very much a part of our parish and the life of our parish," he said.
It's a partnership he's now ending, because of the Boy Scout's latest policy change.
"It was a very difficult decision, it's a very sad thing, with the long legacy we have of scouting in this parish," he said.
Ultimately, Lappe says the new scouting policy just doesn't align with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
"My concern is this definition of a young man, a 10 to 18 year old boy as "openly gay" or "openly homosexual"," he said. "How is that supposed to be lived out within what we believe as Catholics and what we teach about Catholics."
The priest met with scoutmasters and parents of the affected troop on Sunday. He says he asked for their feedback, and they were supportive and understanding of his decision.
Lappe also posted an explanation for his change of heart on the church's website and facebook page.
He says he understands that not everyone may agree with him.
"There's going to be a lot of good people who that that I'm wrong and that think my decision is backwards and not going to be helpful at all, and I can certainly understand that position," he said.
KING 5 spoke to at least one family with a child in Troop 1501, who was critical of the change but did not want to appear on camera.
Steve Rinehart, who is a Kitsap County resident, an eagle scout, and supporter of the group Scouts For Equality, said the priest's stance is disappointing.
"I think anyone ought to be able to be a scout," he said. "Gay, straight, it doesn't matter, and by quitting the program, canceling the program there, they have taken away scouting for a group of boys, and I think that's very unfortunate and downright sad."
Scouts For Equality plans to work with the BSA Chief Seattle Council to make sure every scout in Troop 1501 has another troop to take part in, if they so choose.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting issued a statement after last week's vote, saying that since the change in policy will not take effect until January of 2014, they have time to study its full effects. The council wants to learn more about how it will impact Catholic chartered Scout units and activities.
Laffe says he never intended to be among the first priests to cut all ties with the boy scouts.
Still, he doesn't think he'll be the last. He says he's already gotten calls from other churches, seeking advice as they prepare to take similar steps.
WA state ping
I’m thinking the BSA will go the way of the openly gay TV shows.
Maybe LGBT orgs should be hosting BSA troops /s
This whole thing may blow up in the face of BSA.
Soon to be known as the gsa.
“I’m thinking the BSA will go the way of the openly gay TV shows.”
or JC Penny.
Another cultural institution lost to liberal madness.
Repent, Steve Rinehart! Your dedication to depravity will destroy you!
He identified the problem: this policy “proclaims” young boys to be homosexuals and identifies them or encourages them to identify themselves this way. Aside from the fact that this is totally outside of the purpose of the organization, it changes a long standing policy of not even inquiring about such things but instead simply prohibiting sexual activity in scouting activities, which effectively dealt with any problems the boys might have in that area.
But the whole purpose of this change is to force “gayness” and its acceptance on both the organization and the individual boys. And this is something that churches cannot accept.
Not familiar with that group ... is it a faggot "church" that will sponsor Faggot Scout troops?
No, Scouting should not be for "anyone". Scouting should only be for those who can honestly take an oath to do their "duty to God" and to be "morally straight". Scouting should only be for those who can set the Scout Law as a standard toward which he will always strive. As for Scouts who are openly gay, no Scout should have a sex life, nor should a Scout celebrate conduct that violates worldwide traditions and taboos. I hope decent people will establish a new organization with merit badges; outdoor activities; physical, mental, and moral development; leadership; and service, but without the celebration of perversion that is creeping into BSA.
JC Penney sells BSA uniforms....
Isn’t there a new type of Boy Scouts that has just emerged - I saw it here a few days ago...I think it was The Scouts of Saint George...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3024508/posts
Willing to bet Rinehaet is gay...
The National Council, alas, did exactly that with their vote. They must be treated as the pedophiles and pedophile enablers they ARE!
Preaching "diversity" without moral limits is akin to trying to tame a beast from the wild... you know the saying, "you can take a beast out of the wild, but you can't take the wild out of the beast". You may want to show how kind you can be to such and unlovable creature, but the creature only sees an easy meal. So sorry, but you may not indoctrinate my child... and I do not feel bad for rejecting your desire to be "inclusive".
How will they study the full effects of a policy they just said will not take effect for another 8 months?
A very wise person once said here on FR: “There’s only one reason adults want to teach children about homosexuality.”
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