New Jersey priest receives Boy Scouting's highest honor for service

Published: 2004-07-20

CHICAGO (CNS) -- A New Jersey priest who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a young man and was named a distinguished Eagle Scout in 1999 has received the Silver Buffalo Award, Boy Scouts of America's highest commendation for service to youths. The award was presented to Father Donald Keith Hummel, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., and pastor of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in Scotch Plains, N.J., at the organization's national annual meeting in Chicago. The Silver Buffalo Award has been given annually since 1925 to civic-minded men and women who stand out for their invaluable contributions and service to the youths of America. Throughout his adulthood, Father Hummel has continued to participate in the Boy Scouts, serving millions of young people as camp chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and chaplain to four national Scout jamborees. A lifetime member of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, he has served as the organization's national chaplain since 2001.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .