The Archdiocese of La Plata has decided not to renew its sponsorship of
the "Scouts of Argentina" because they "are conducting a process in
which they are losing certain fundamental values, such as God and the
family, which Baden Powel wanted.
For this reason we find it
increasingly difficult to ensure the Christian education of children and
young people in our parishes that attend Scout Groups.
This leads us to not be able to renew the sponsorship we give to the
Scouts of Argentina": so reads the statement sent to Fides, signed by
Auxiliary Bishop, Mgr. Nicolas Baisi, Vicar general and head of the
archdiocesan youth ministry.
The text recalls that in the past, "the Church in La Plata promoted
Scouting as an opportunity for human and Christian formation of great
value. This is why it founded Scout groups in parishes, as a conducive
learning environment for children who have completed their Christian
initiation, with the First Communion".
The document warns that this decision will be operational by the first
half of 2017, and ends with the following message: "We know that these
processes can often cause confusion and pain, but we are sure that is
the right way to guarantee the fundamental values of Scouting, whose
first law states that the Scout loves God and fully lives faith".