Be active in parish life, Pope tells Italian Scouts

June 15, 2015

Pope Francis received members of the Association of Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts in audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 13 and encouraged them to take an active part in their parishes and dioceses.

Citing a 1926 speech by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout movement, Pope Francis said that religion should be an important part of Scouting and praised the Bible studies that are part of Scouting in Italy.

The Pope called upon Catholic Scouts to build bridges rather than walls, to take part in the new evangelization, and to assume an active role in parish and diocesan life.

“You are called to find ways to integrate yourselves in the pastoral care of the particular Church, establishing relationships of respect and collaboration at all levels with your bishops, with pastors and other priests, educators and members of other ecclesial associations present in the parish and in the same territory, and not be content with a ‘decorative’ presence on Sundays or major events,” he said.

 

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Further information:

• Incontro con l’Associazione Guide e Scouts Cattolici Italiani (AGESCI), 13.06.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope to Scouts: You are called to collaborate in the pastoral life of the Church (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Francis receives Agesci members in audience 2015.06.13 (Vatican YouTube)