Uganda scouts honour Pope Francis with ceremonial scarf

By Juliet Lukwago                

The Scouts association in Uganda has sent a scarf to Pope Francis to hail him for the good work he is doing for the church and the whole world.

On behalf of the scouts, Scott Harvey, the KLB Chairperson from America gave the Pope’s scarf to Papal Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Michael August Blume, after honoring him too.

This was during celebrations to mark 100 years since their existence. The celebrations took place at Queen of Peace Shrine Kiwamirembe, Kajjansi along Entebbe road on Sunday. 

The function started with the Holy Mass led by the Pope representative to Uganda.

Scott explained that International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS) is an autonomous, international body committed to promoting and supporting Catholic Scout associations and to be a link between the Scout movement and the Catholic Church. Its headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.

“It enjoys consultative status with the World Scout Committee and forms the World Scout Inter-religious Forum (WSIF) together with the Council of Protestants in Guiding and Scouting,” Scott said.

In June 1962 the Holy See approved the statutes and the Charter of Catholic Scouts, and the umbrella of Catholic Boy Scouting took the name International Catholic Conference of Scouting. In 1977 the new charter was approved by Rome.

Scott hailed to the efforts of Catholic Boy Scouts and Scout leaders in fall and the United States, a fish pond is being built in Uganda.

He said that International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS) is recognizing the rich history Scouts and girl guides have had over the past one hundred years as members of the Catholic Church. 

The first official event of the ICCS Centenary took place in Mouscron Belgium in January of 2013.  The official conclusion of the program will take place at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015.

The Peace Program and Community Services Program that are cornerstones of the Jamboree will be a part of the Keep the Lamp Burning initiative.

“Our belief that Jesus Christ is our Savior, the Light of Christ must be kept burning bright in all corners of the globe by the values Scouting instills in our youth and by living Catholic Faith daily. 

"The French priest Father Jacques Sevin, recognized the values Lord Baden Powell used in the founding of the Scouts and was one of the first clerics to develop organized scouting for Catholic youth through his special relationship with Lord Baden Powell.  Father Sevin wanted scouts to know Christ was always with them as represented by the Lamp burning brightly in the middle of the camp,” he added.

Scott said that for the past 100 years Scouts have promised: “On my Honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God…” which is the beginning of oath taken by scouts around the world. 

These are the parts of the promise and law that bring scouts of all faiths together. As Catholic Scouts we must recognize interfaith differences, but must always be conscience that we need to “Keep the Lamp burning”, the light of Jesus Christ, burning within our young people.