Guidlelines For Unit Chaplains
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) has authorized the local Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS) to approve a member of the laity as a Scout Chaplain in a unit. This should be the exception rather than the norm. Whenever possible, a qualified priest should be designated as a Scout Chaplain. Only in absence of a qualified priest, may a unit designate a deacon, religious, or other suitable member of the Christian faithful.
The NCCS requires that a lay candidate for designation as a Scout Chaplain must have participated in, or be certified in one or more of the following: Catechetical Certification according to Diocesan norms, a Diocesan Lay Formation (Ministry) Program, or has an undergraduate or graduate degree in theology, religious studies, or youth ministry.
When a lay person is designated a Scout Chaplain, the unit must first submit that candidate's name to the Austin DCCS for approval. The nomination must be accompanied with information or documentation showing the date that the person has completed:
- All the Ethics and Integrity training requirements of the Diocese of Austin
- BSA Youth Protection training within the past three years, and
- Lay Apostolate Formation (LAF) training presented by the DCCS within the past three years, and
- Catechetical Certification according to Diocesan norms, a Diocesan Lay Formation (Ministry) Program, or has an undergraduate or graduate degree in theology, religious studies, or youth ministry.
If your unit has already designated a lay person as the Scout Chaplain, please provide the above information for review to Fr Matthew Kinney at frmkinney@gmail.com, so that a letter of approval may be issued. The DCCS periodically presents LAF training as part of its continuing education program focused on Catholic leaders working with Catholic Scouts