Catholics Declare 'We support Boy Scouting'

[Editors Note: Last month we highlighted the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts during their National Jamboree held at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Catholics in America have always had a close relationship with Scouting and even have a national committee - The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) - formed to coordinate the relationship of the church to the Scouting program. At Catholic Online, we are pleased to provide the following article from Col. (Ret.) John Halloran, Jr., current chairman of the committee regarding the 100th Anniversary. RWS]

IRVING, TX (Catholic Online) - This is a very special year for Scouting and especially for Catholic Scouting.  The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is celebrating their 100th anniversary since William D. Boyce brought the program from England.  The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is celebrating its 75th anniversary since their founding by Brother Barnabas Edward. 

With the founding of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 1910, Catholic boys and men quickly recognized the value of the Scouting program.  The first Catholic unit, Troop 1 in St. Paul, Minnesota, was also chartered in 1910.  As Catholic Scouting grew so did the need to organize a Catholic Committee on Scouting which was done in 1922.
                 
Much has changed for both the BSA and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) over the years, but our values and ideals never have.  We, like the BSA, are committed to providing our youth with the tools to succeed in life.  We want our youth to develop their faith-based moral compass, to be strong in body and mind, to be good citizens, strong leaders, and to live their lives using the Scout Law and Scout Oath as their guide.

The NCCS is a church committee of concerned Catholic clergy and laity who act as advisers to the BSA and relate to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops through its Bishop Liaison.  Therefore, the purpose of the NCCS is to utilize and ensure the constructive use of the BSA program as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic youth of our nation.  The NCCS seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between the BSA and the Catholic Church and to work cooperatively with the BSA in all its endeavors.

We encourage all Catholic Parishes, Catholic Schools and Catholic Organizations that do not have any chartered units to seriously consider making Scouting part of their youth ministry program.  For those Catholic entities that have chartered one or more Catholic units, we encourage them to consider providing the whole BSA family of Scouting (Packs, Troops & Crews).  For those Catholic entities that do provide the whole BSA family of Scouting, we encourage them to continue to grow and prosper. 

The Catholic Church is the largest Church in the United States, but only ranks third in denominations that charter Scouting units.  There are nine reasons to consider a Scouting Ministry and they are Intentional Ministry, Evangelism, Service to Your Members, Proven Youth Program, It's your Program, Leadership Training, Outdoor Resources, Community Service and "Duty to God". 

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COL (Ret.) John J. Halloran, Jr. is the current Chairman for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), a church committee of concerned Catholic lay people and clergy who see as their mission the constructive use of the program of the Boy Scouts of America as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic youth of our nation. For more information, you can visit their website at www.nccs-bsa.org.

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