Catholic Scouting organization renews partnership with Boy Scouts

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CNA Staff, May 2, 2025 / 17:44 pm (CNA).

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) announced today a new memorandum of understanding with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, which the organizations say solidifies their “long-standing commitment to the holistic development and spiritual growth of young people.”

“This agreement reaffirms [our] shared values and outlines collaborative efforts to provide enriching and character-building opportunities for Catholic youth through Scouting,” the organizations said in a May 1 joint announcement. The text of the memorandum was not immediately made available. 

The NCCS, founded in the early 20th century, is an advisory committee that utilizes all the programs and activities of the Boy Scouts of America but works with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure alignment of Catholic Scouting programs with Catholic teaching, the organization says. The organization serves some 98,000 Catholic Scouts, according to its website.

Catholic organizations were early supporters of the Boy Scouts after its founding in 1910, with the earliest known Catholic-chartered troops established in St. Paul, Minnesota, that year. Today there are more than 3,270 Catholic-sponsored Scouting units across the nation, the groups say. 

The two organizations’ renewed partnership signifies “a continued dedication to working together to empower young people with strong moral compasses, leadership skills, and a commitment to service,” the announcement continues. 

“Today’s signing of the [memorandum] between Scouting America and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting reaffirms a long-standing partnership built on shared values of faith, service, and leadership,” said Bill Guglielmi, chair-elect of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

“Together, we celebrate over 100 years of collaboration in shaping young people of character guided by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, especially the principles of duty to God and reverence. Our actions today reaffirm our mutual commitment to continuing this important mission for generations to come.”

The May 1 announcement comes after a turbulent dozen or so years for the Boy Scouts, which rely heavily on religious organizations to run their local troops. 

The organization lifted a ban on members who identify as gay in 2013 and faced major backlash in 2015 over its decision to allow openly gay men to serve as troop leaders. The organization later opened its ranks to girls as well as to biological girls who identify as boys. 

After seeing its membership plummet due to the pandemic, the Boy Scouts declared bankruptcy in 2020 amid a flood of some 82,000 sexual abuse claims, later agreeing to a $2.4 billion settlement plan for victims in 2024.