Diocese of Rockford cuts ties with Boy Scouts
The Diocese of Rockford is cutting ties with the Boy Scouts.
Citing the Boy Scouts of America's bankruptcy and insurance issues, the Diocese announced that it is discontinuing its relationship with all Boy Scouts units.
"As the Boy Scouts of America have been and continue to address bankruptcy court proceedings involving the organization, the Diocese of Rockford has been monitoring these developments locally and nationally. In light of these and other changes, Boy Scouts of America is deciding how best to live out their mission," the Diocese said in a Jan. 13 news release. "Taking these and other factors into consideration as well, the Diocese has discontinued its charter relationship with Boy Scouts of America units. All charter agreements have now expired without being renewed."
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The release went on to say diocesan entities will no longer re-charter or sign a facilities-use agreement with Boy Scouts of America and local Boy Scouts units. Also, any Boys Scouts of America units previously using diocesan facilities will need to seek alternative locations to meet starting Feb. 1.
The Boy Scouts of America — the subject of the largest-ever child sex abuse case with more than 80,000 complainants — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020.
In September, a federal judge signed off on the Boy Scouts of America's plan to exit bankruptcy. Central to the bankruptcy plan is a $2.46 billion trust fund for survivors.
Diocese of Rockford spokeswoman Penny Wiegert said there were as many as 18 charter agreements with the Boy Scouts throughout the Diocese's 11 northern Illinois counties.
Wiegert also said the Diocese, the Blackhawk Area and Three Fires local councils were unable to resolve "complex insurance issues" after several months of talking.
"That was the crux of this decision," she said.
The news release, found on the Diocese's website, said the 2023 Scout Sunday Mass is still scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford.
All Scouts who earned Catholic religious emblems during the past academic year will be recognized as well as any adult recipients of Scout emblems and medals.
Sedrick Robinson, Scout executive of the Blackhawk Area Council in Rockford, said in a statement to the Register Star:
"The partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and its many chartered partners, including religious and civic organizations, has been critical to delivering the scouting program to millions of youths in our country for generations. Several of the Boy Scouts of America's chartered partners have been sponsoring local units for more than 75 years. Throughout its ongoing financial restructuring process, the Boy Scouts of America has been focused on ensuring that chartered partners are fairly represented and that they can continue to support scouting.
"We remain committed to serving youth and communities of northern Illinois without interruption. We have nothing but admiration and respect for the Diocese of Rockford and hope to continue our meaningful relationship in the future."
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Diocese cuts ties with Boy Scouts
