United Methodists reach settlement in Boy Scouts’ Bankruptcy Case

United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s pending bankruptcy proceedings.

Upon final court approval, the settlement would absolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congregation-sponsored Scouting programs.

Under the terms of the settlement, United Methodists would raise and give $30 million over a three-year period into a fund that will be utilized to compensate survivors, and United Methodist congregations that charter Scout troops and packs would be released from all abuse claims involving scouting activities. A team has been formed to identify strategies and materials that may be used to raise the funds. The church would also agree to work for the healing of survivors and recommit to work toward ending sexual abuse of young people. Through the General Commission on United Methodist Men, United Methodists will work with the BSA to continue to ensure Scout safety and grow Scouting ministry as part of its mandate through The Book of Discipline.

“We are sorry for what occurred and are praying for all those who experienced harm through scouting activities. We are committed to the protection of children and youth, and the United Methodist Council of Bishops will be working with the church, the Survivor Working Group and BSA to address policies, programs and procedures in order to keep scouts safe from abuse,” said Bishop John Schol, chair of the UMC leadership team created to support the United Methodist chartering organizations in the bankruptcy matter.

The settlement follows months of mediation by an ad hoc committee of bishops, chancellors and general agency employees that has been advocating for United Methodist interests.

“I want to thank everyone who has been working through the mediation process for the healing and just resolution of the survivors,” Schol said. “Our settlement agreement has the support of both the BSA and the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice.”

The United Methodist Church has long worked proactively to prevent child abuse. The percentage of claims in the last 20 years potentially related to United Methodist congregations’-sponsored scouting units is less than 1 percent of all UMC claims.

Under the terms of the agreement, denomination leaders will intensify efforts to prevent and raise awareness of child sexual abuse.

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has committed to lead the church in carrying out the following:

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• Work with all United Methodists to raise funds for the Survivor Trust Fund;
  
• Tell the story of harm done to survivors through a series of articles to be published by the denomination and by each U.S. annual conference to draw attention to child sexual abuse and call upon the church to be vigilant in working to prevent child sexual abuse in churches, homes and the community;
  
• Carry out a denomination-wide review of all Safe Sanctuaries and other policies to safeguard young people from sexual abuse and update policies as necessary and ensure the policies are being followed;
  
• Provide opportunities for sexual abuse survivors to share their experiences with United Methodist leadership if they choose to do so;
  
• Work with all United Methodist ministries and with the Boy Scouts of America to continue to make programs safe for all young people;
  
• Provide leadership to help all BSA chartering organizations to make a $100 million contribution to the Survivor Trust Fund; and
  
• Participate as a member of the Survivors Working Group.
  

The ad hoc committee recommends that churches who filed a proof of claim vote “yes” on the plan and for those who previously voted “no,” the ad hoc committee recommends congregations change their vote to “yes.” An email from conference leadership will be sent to churches that filed a proof of claim on how to vote “yes” and how to change a vote from “no” to “yes.”

Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, said the settlement would support abuse survivors and protect UMCs. In a statement on the settlement, he called it “a substantial step forward in our efforts to maintain our compassionate support for survivors of abuse, while safeguarding the security of local United Methodist churches affected by the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy case.”

“This week, the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee, which was tasked with advising and supporting the lawyers who are representing UMC congregations that have chartered BSA units, signed a settlement agreement that would provide both healing and support for survivors and legal protections for local churches. For more details about the settlement, I encourage you to read the statement from United Methodist Communications below.

“While much remains to be done to finalize this settlement, we are grateful for God’s grace and guidance and the dedicated work of many throughout this difficult process to date.”

Holston urged people to keep in prayer all of those victimized by abuse, as well as the local and national church leaders working to bring this difficult process to a fair and just resolution.