Posted on 05/25/2013 4:42:28 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
Bishop Paul Loverde on the Boy Scouts of America 2013-05-24
(Arlington, Va.) – The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, made the following statement today in response to the Boy Scouts of America’s vote at its executive meeting in Grapevine, Texas to change its membership requirements:
The clarity and courage of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) over many years in the face of considerable cultural, political and legal pressure to change its membership policy with regard to those who openly profess to live a homosexual lifestyle has been a testament to the virtues that scouting has successfully instilled in the young men who have benefited from its programs.
I deeply regret that the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America, after years of principled and steadfast resolve, has now wavered in their commitment to the values that the scouting movement has traditionally embraced and taught.
The Diocese of Arlington has been very pleased to host Boy Scout troops in the great majority of its parishes and to encourage our boys and young men to be a part of the scouting tradition. As Bishop, it has always been my firm hope that we might continue sponsorship of Boy Scout troops in a manner that is consistent with the Church’s teaching and mission.
Sadly, yesterday’s decision forces us to prayerfully reconsider whether a continued partnership with the BSA will be possible.
Going forward and before the new BSA policy takes effect, I will consult with those who moderate the Church’s relationship with the scouting movement locally and at the national level, including the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) and members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Through this consultative process we will determine whether our parishes can continue their relationship with the Boy Scouts. Overarching all of this will be our firm commitment to preserving the integrity of the Church’s teaching on the authentic meaning of human sexuality.
As an organization founded on character and leadership, it is highly disappointing to see the Boy Scouts of America succumb to external pressures and political causes at the cost of its moral integrity. Additionally, it seems clear that the result of this policy change will likely not bring harmony, but rather continuing controversy, policy fights, and discord.
I ask that parishioners in the Diocese of Arlington continue to pray for the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America, and all Boy Scouts, and that each of us may grow in our understanding of the gift of human sexuality and remain a steadfast witness to the truths of our faith.
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Now if Bishop Loverde would pull out of his diocese’ support of illegal aliens and the groups that support them.
So the BSA says they will deny admittance to homosexual boy scout leaders, but will accept homosexual boy scouts. Have we, as a society, gone so far that 11 and 12 year old boys are now “coming out”? I know that we read about an occasional case here and there in the news, but is this a regular occurrence? I wouldn’t think so, but maybe it
is.
But what’s puzzling to me about Bishop Loverde’s statement, is simply this: just what is his complaint? Does he fault the BSA for taking the same position that the Catholic Church has always taken on homosexuals? The Church, rightly so, does not condemn or reject the homosexual; they condemn the sin of homosexual behavior. The BSA has not said that they’re okay with homosexual behavior, but just that if a 10 year old boy concludes he’s a homosexual (that’s still way beyond belief for me) that he will be admitted to scouting. Quite frankly, even if a 10 year old boy (who generally isn’t even interested in girls at that age) does believe he is a homosexual, I would think it would be an opportunity for scouting to open up his eyes (and perhaps those of his parents as well) that homosexual behavior is sinful and should not be practiced, regardless of one’s feelings.
So here is Loverde, casting aspersions against scouting because they appear to be agreeable in embracing the sinner and not the sin, while Loverde (and most every other bishop and priest) won’t even condemn homosexual behavior from the pulpit. Indeed, they won’t even say the word “homosexual”. They dance all around it when they argue against same sex marriage, but they never tell us homosexual behavior is a mortal sin. No wonder the Church is in serious trouble. The bishops, quite clearly, have about as much courage as those Brits who stood by and watched those to muslims slaughter that British soldier on the streets of London. But unlike the weak-kneed Brits, God will demand an accounting from the bishops.
And you think the sodomites wouldn’t come after them next? Or any boys group dedicated to Biblical principles?
In my opinion it’s reasonable to be concerned that 15-17 year olds will be in charge of younger kids that they would be attracted to. Same thing if the girl scouts would allow boys to be in charge of younger girls.
Freegards
And that's as it should be. It is not uncommon for some adolescent boys to suffer a certain amount of sexual uncertainness, particularly boys who are a bit late to mature. Scouting is (was) the place where boys learned a certain spoken or unspoken "manliness," without constantly having to take their emotional temperature about sex.
The problem with the "new" policy is that is that it allows the in-your-face, out-and-proud, look-at-meee-e-e- variety of LGBT identification and advocacy. And since that's still technically "orientation," a Scoutmaster can't curb boys talking, joking, acting and reacting on the basis of emotional neediness, horniness, or adolescent crushes, for fear of being called a hater and a bigot.
Sexualizing the Scouts is the LGBT goal. They quite candidly proclaim that this is the necessary Giant Step One.
“they won’t even say the word “homosexual”. They dance all around it when they argue against same sex marriage, but they never tell us homosexual behavior is a mortal sin”.
You obviously have never heard my bishop or parish priest.
Both have condemned homosexuality in Homilies and spoke out against homo “marriage”.
Pope John II said any man with strong homosexual tendencies should not be allowed into the priesthood. Some lied and slipped in and if found out they are engaging in this filthy behavior should be kicked out of the priesthood.
Since I have no idea as to whom you might be referring, what can I say? But I’d be interested in learning who these men are. I can tell you this, too; they are not Bishop Malooley of Wilmington, Loverde of Arlington, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore, or Cardinal Wuerl of Washington DC. I’m quite familiar with each and everyone of these prelates and I am confident that the word “homosexual” has never been uttered by their lips in recent years––at least publicly.
Perhaps you have a link to one of the homilies or writings of these exceptional men that you could share with me and other Freepers. If you are fortunate enough to have such a bishop and a priest in the area where you attend mass, I would be more than simply thrilled to learn their names. They would, indeed, be two examples of a very rare specimen in the Church today.
Still trying to find a homily from my bishop for you, but here’s a good article where Cardinal Wuerl did a homily defending a Catholic priest for speaking the truth about
homosexual “marriage”. I wish more priest would speak openly from the pulpit about the evils of this garbage.
I can't see our diocese allowing them to use the church faciities. Just too much of a risk.
Good point. It’s been far too long ago since I was in scouting, and your comment is an excellent one. Mrs Don-o also takes some very valid and important exceptions to my post on this topic, as well. I’m afraid my thinking was simply too short-sighted. The homosexual agenda is, without question, immoral, and any concessions to this sin at any level, especially with respect to the young and vulnerable, is unacceptable.
Interesting point. I’ll tuck that away in my mind, that I should ask our parish Safe Environment director whether we should reconsider BSA ar rhe parish level if it requires the acceptance of open homosexuality.
You would probably run into trademark issues with both those names. Besides, given the reason for the break do you really want to sound that much like the organization you're leaving? I imagine that this decision by the Scouts will lead to a number of new youth organizations, none of which will use the word 'scout' in their name.
You don't think they'd fight? As the Scouts themselves proved, as a private organization they can set their own membership requirements. I don't see them caving.
I don’t have any faith in the State.
you know i bet they could even go to using the now mostly unused CYO “Christian Youth Organization” names. i don’t think most even exist anymore.
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