Antioch Community Church — A United Methodist Congregation issued the following announcement on Dec. 21.
Negotiators for The United Methodist Church have reached a settlement for the denomination to pay $30 million as part of the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy reorganization plan.
Local United Methodist churches in the U.S. have long been leading sponsors of Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, and the $30 million is to be paid over three years into a trust fund for survivors of Scouting-related sexual abuse.
All U.S. annual conferences of the denomination are being asked to make a commitment to raise the necessary funds, church leaders said.
The settlement, announced Dec. 21, comes after months of negotiations, and the overall bankruptcy plan still must be approved by a federal bankruptcy court.
United Methodist leaders said the settlement they reached meets key objectives, including bringing healing and support to survivors, and absolving local United Methodist churches that sponsored or chartered BSA troops from abuse claims involving Scouting activities.
In a Zoom call about the settlement, leaders emphasized the denomination’s commitment to survivors.
“We are deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused to good people through Scouting and particularly through ministries of Scouting in United Methodist churches,” said Bishop John Schol, who has had a leading role in representing the denomination in the bankruptcy matter.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Antioch Community Church — A United Methodist Congregation
