St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Drops Boy Scout Troop Due to New Gay Member Policy

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Crystal Lake has dropped sponsorship of its boy scout troop in the wake of the Boy Scouts of America's recent decision to accept openly gay members, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

The Rev. Brian Grady, pastor at the Catholic Church, this past week wrote a letter to local Boy Scouts officials stating the Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop it charters would have to find a new place to meet, the Tribune reports.

Grady wrote that the Boy Scouts are condoning homosexuality, which the church opposes. However, the pastor apparently neglected to inform the troop leaders of his decision. Troop 550 Scoutmaster Charlie Payseur told the Chicago Tribune he and his assistant leaders were "livid" about the news.

The Boy Scouts Council voted May 23 to end the exclusion of openly gay scouts next year. The council will continue to ban gay adult leaders.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located at 1023 McHenry Ave. and ministers to 2,900 families, according to its webpage. In this past week's church bulletin, Grady wrote he will be on vacation from June 1-7.