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After the Dale decision, the NCCS Episcopal Liaison, Bishop Gettelfinger, released a letter (shown below). Unfortunately, there are several errors in his letter.
In BSA v. Dale, the question of religious organizations being able to select adult leaders was never an issue. It was BSA which
expelled James Dale from Scouting. The church which sponsored the troop in which he was an adult leader, never expressed a desire to remove him from the troop. One could argue that in Dale, the BSA overruled the chartering organization in
the selection of its leaders for its youth.
As is common with BSA and NCCS press releases, Gettelfinger fails to address the issue of gay youth and in particular, gay Catholic youth. Since Catholic Scouting is
purported to be a ministry of the church, BSA's blanket and automatic ban on gay youth in Scouting, compels a Catholic parish of prohibiting participation in a parochial ministry to some Catholic youth -- those who happen to be gay.
It should also be kept in mind that BSA's position and the Catholic Church's position on homosexuality are dramatically different. BSA condemns both homosexuals and homosexual conduct. The Catholic Church's position
does not condemn a person of homosexual orientation. In fact, unjust discrimination against homosexual persons is specifically condemned by the Catholic Church. While many may argue that the Catholic Church has yet to identify any type of
"unjust discrimination" against homosexuals, it is still the church's stated policy.
Diocese of Evansville
The Chancery
P.O. Box 4169
Evansville, Indiana 47724-0169
29 September 2000
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am writing as the Episcopal Liaison to the National Catholic
Committee on Scouting. My letter is intended to be one of reassurance. I also intend it to clarify some areas of confusion about the Church and its relationship with the Boy Scouts of America.
The recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dale vs BSA was a victory for the Roman Catholic Church. By it the government is precluded from dictating to the Church, a private
organization, its qualifications for membership or leadership. It is for this reason that the United States Conference of Bishops, through its general counsel, submitted a brief as an Amicus Curiae in support of the Boy Scouts of America.
The Catholic Church is discriminating in its expectations. Aspirants to membership and leadership who do not meet specified qualifications or who are unwilling to live up to expressed expectations render
themselves ineligible. The Church is empowered to establish qualifications and expectations for membership and leadership.
The Supreme Court decision in Dale vs BSA gave the same status to the Boy Scouts of America.
The ideals and expectations of the Boy Scouts of America for membership and leadership are congruous with the ideals and expectations of the Roman Catholic Church. Both require conduct
consistent with their mutual values. The Scout Law and Oath are clear expectations for anyone aspiring to become a Scout or a Scout leader. One must be committed to them to be faithful as a member
and as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America.
Chastity is a virtue. It is an expectation of Roman Catholic boys and men. Boy Scouts and unmarried young men are not only expected to
be chaste, but celibate as well. Sexual conduct outside of marriage is a violation of their human sexuality. The Church expects married men to be chaste and faithful to their spouses. We expect all leaders in
the Church to be above reproach.
The Boy Scouts of America expects no less of their members and leaders. There is a strong bond between the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts
provide a wonderful complement to our ministry to youth.
I plead with you not to lose heart for taking a consistent and strong position for protecting the right to choose leadership appropriate to
Scouting. Anyone who would teach boys that homosexual conduct is morally acceptable would clearly not be an appropriate leader in the church or in Scouting. We have a right to expect the best of those
who lead our young. The Boy Scouts are being challenged because of a stance rooted in religious principle. I am proud to be affiliated with them.
Should you have questions of me, feel free to contact me at Gettelfing@cs.com.
Let us pray that God will bless our efforts on behalf of His children and young men and women in Scouting.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
(signed)
Most Reverend Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Liaison to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting
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