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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 the absence of a qualified priest may a unit designate a deacon, religious or other suitable member of the Christian faithful.

Scouts BSA Lay Chaplain Requirements

A Scouts BSA Lay Chaplain must be:

1. A Chartered Member of the Troop Committee who has completed BSA Youth Protection Training.
2. A Trained Scouts BSA Leader who has completed current BSA leader training requirements.
3. A Trained Scouts BSA Chaplain who has completed Chaplain Training as required by his or her respective Council.
4. Able to attend troop meetings, train Chaplain’s Aides (both Troop and Patrol Chaplain’s Aides), participate in campouts and outings, arrange and facilitate a Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath celebration, and offer guidance to Scouts who seek to earn Religious Emblems in their faith.

Catholic Scouts BSA Troop Lay Chaplain Requirements

A Catholic Scouts BSA Lay Chaplain must be:

1. A member of a parish who has completed training in Ethics and Integrity in Ministry and has been approved by the Diocese and maintains a current approval status. 

In addition, we recommend that Catholic Scout Lay Chaplains complete the following training within 2 years of appointment:

1. A Catholic Scout Chaplain must complete National Catholic Leadership Development Training and Religious Emblem Instructor Training in order to serve as an Instructor for the Roman Catholic Religious Emblems “Ad Altare Dei” and “Pope Pius XII.”
2. A Catholic Scout Chaplain should complete Youth Ministry Essentials. This is our new recommended requirement to better prepare Chaplains for youth ministry and to integrate Lay Catholic Scout Chaplains into the youth ministry efforts of the diocese and of their parish.

In the Diocese of Austin Catholic Scouters are encouraged to listen to the call of the Holy Spirit and volunteer to serve their Scouts BSA Troops as Lay Catholic Scout Chaplains. The Diocese of Austin will provide guidance, training and opportunities for growth in faith formation to both lay and ordained Catholic Scout Chaplains along their journey in this youth ministry. 

If your unit has already designated a lay person as the Scout Chaplain, please provide the above information for review to Fr. Will Rooney 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.

Scouts BSA Chaplain Requirements Completion Log