Scout leader of France resigns after criticism for their support for abortion and same -sex relationships

Marine Rosset, the newly appointed president of the greatest organization of Catholic inspiration sculpture in France, resigned less than two months after her choice amid intense criticism for her support for abortion and her homosexual relationship.

After announcing her resignation on August 6, the member of the 39 -year -old Socialist Party explained her decision in an interview with the Catholic newspaper The crosspointing out that the “situation had become unsustainable” and expressing its desire to “protect movement.”

Rosset was elected president of the Scouts and Guides of France (SGDF) on June 14 by a vote of 22 to 2 and one abstention.

The SGDF is the largest Scout Association in France, with more than 100,000 members. It was formed in 2004 through the fusion of two historically Catholic organizations.

At present, the group has Catholic chaplains and describes itself as “a Catholic movement of youth and popular education” and “open to all, without distinction of nationality, culture, social origin or beliefs.”

Controversial positions generate criticism

The controversy focused on the public positions of Rosset, which directly contradict the Catholic doctrine. Rosset, councilor of Paris and exprofesora of history and geography, lives in civil union with a person of the same sex and has a child who was conceived by assisted reproduction.

The member of the Socialist Party has also publicly defended the “right” to abortion, a position that caused harsh criticism by the Catholic media and clergy.

“After my choice, there were people outside the sculptor – political forces, communication networks, even financial – who instrumentalized the positions that I had adopted,” Rosset told Croix. “This created a false image of the scouts and guides in France, since several of my positions were associated with those of the movement,” he added.

According to The worldsome chaplains of the Scout Movement had expressed their opposition to their appointment, citing concerns about their political activism and personal life that contradict the teachings of the Church about sexuality and issues related to the right to life.

The Catholic website Christian column He described his resignation as “the end of an organized misunderstanding”, arguing that a Catholic youth movement cannot be leaded while “openly contradicts what the Church teaches as not negotiable.”

Political complications aggravate controversy

Political factors also influenced Rosset’s decision. With partial elections scheduled in his Parisian constituency this fall, he had planned to campaign for the candidate of his party. This decision would have further politicized to the Scout Group and potentially removed Catholic families, according to The world.

“Any statement that made would have been carefully analyzed,” Rosset told the Croix. “For me it was very important that the movement would not only reduce my person; it is bigger than me,” he added.

He Official Communication of the SGDF He states that “violent, discriminatory and dehumanizing” comments against Rosset and that she had filed legal complaints from online threats were directed.

Pierre Monéger, former vice president of the organization, has assumed leadership through a collective government structure that includes two new vice presidents, Julie Lefort and Charles Le Gac.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA