scouts in the spotlight, a historic first

Clichés die hard, the one according to which the different scout movements look at each other like a dog in particular. However, it is together that the Association of Scouts of Europe (AGSE), the Unitary Scouts of France (SUF) and the Scouts and Guides of France (SGDF), are the three most important scout movements in the country, went to Lourdes to bring a common message to the Bishops. Their representatives were received on Wednesday, November 6 for a round table on the missionary issues of scouting, the question of mission being the key theme of this Plenary Assembly.

“Thanks” and requests

“We came to tell them thank you, well done, and that we still needed them” explains Lucile Roumier, National Jeannettes Commissioner (girls aged 8 to 12) at the SUF.

Between them, the movements have more than 190,000 members, children and adults combined. Scout groups are for the most part accompanied, at their request, by a chaplain chosen in conjunction with the bishop. The diocesan link is therefore essential, and the support of bishops necessary. One of the key issues is that of the choice of these accompanying priests: “the bishops are as attentive as we are to vigilance around the accompaniment of young people; we have recalled the need for transparency and regular communication regarding priests on mission in our groups, especially when priests would not be suitable for this supervision” underlines Anne-Claire Bellay, general delegate of the SGDF.

“We also asked the bishops to involve seminarians in the activities, and to invite newly confirmed young adults, of whom there are many, to get involved in the movement” explains Cyril de Quéral, general commissioner of the scouts of Europe.

A missionary issue

Conversely, many former scouts are involved in parishes, and many priests themselves have gone through scouting. “We are all the more willing to ask the bishops for their support since it is we who give them priests” jokes Anne-Claire Bellay. Last year, a survey of The Cross revealed that 56% of seminarians had gone through scouting. For all its leaders, scouting is therefore a thriving breeding ground for the Church, but also a formidable land of evangelization.

“Our movements have been growing for 20 years, there are more and more unbaptized young people. One leader in four has never been a scout, it is also a form of evangelization and a way of continuing to nourish one’s adult faith” maintains Brother Nicolas, Dominican national chaplain of the SUF. By making them aware of the missionary scope of scouting and the fruits it bears in parishes and beyond, those responsible for the movements hope to be a source of inspiration for bishops. “Scouting supports the parish model, which is not enough” maintains Anne-Claire Bellay, “we propose to live the community dimension of Catholicism through actions, local life projects, citizen engagement. We are convinced that this dynamic can be beneficial to dioceses.”

A common initiative

“It was historic to be able to bear witness to three movements” affirms the general delegate of the Scouts and Guides of France. This meeting is the fruit of joint work. “We made the request together, we prepared it together, we wrote, read and corrected our intervention together” adds Cyril de Quéral. Each movement presents educational specificities which attract different audiences. “We are aware that each one represents only a part of Catholic youth, there is less interest for the bishops to hear a single movement” explains Anne-Claire Bellay. Far from any warring, this meeting is for them a sign that fraternity is growing between the different movements. “It is the Scout promise, common to us, which fundamentally brings us together” enthuses Brother Nicolas.

The meeting ended in Lourdes with the singing of the Scout promise, “almost all the bishops give the scout salute” concludes the national commissioner of the SUF.