After seven years as the link bishop for the National Catholic Scout Fellowship, Bishop Edwin Regan of Wrexham handed over his Scouting responsibilities to Bishop Richard Moth of the Forces at a farewell Mass celebrated at Southwark Cathedral on February 13.
In his final homily, Bishop Regan reminded the packed Scouting congregation that by keeping the Scout Promise and Law, they follow a path of holiness.
“If we keep the Scout Promise and Law, we are well on the way to becoming saints,” he said.
“You have all made a promise: ‘On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law.’
“And the Scout Law? A Scout is to be trusted, and loyal, and friendly and considerate. A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.”
Bishop Regan expressed his gratitude to all involved and assured the Scouting movement of his continued prayers. “I am so grateful to your Scouters and leaders who give you the fun of Scouting. I thank Bishop Richard Moth for agreeing to be your special bishop. I appreciate the work of Fr Seddon, your national chaplain, and all those in the Catholic Scout Fellowship. And Archbishop Peter for allowing us to come to his cathedral, and celebrating Mass with us.”
He also said: “Last year Pope Benedict gave a huge challenge to the 4,000 children and young people listening to him at the Big Assembly in Twickenham, and to the many thousands who were watching in their schools on television and the internet.
“What was the challenge? Let’s listen to what Pope Benedict said: ‘Since I have the chance to speak to you, there is something I very much want to say to you. I hope that among those of you listening to me today there are some of the future saints of the 21st century. What God wants most of all for each one of you is that you should become holy. He loves you much more than you could ever begin to imagine, and He wants the very best for you. And by far the best thing for you is to grow in holiness.’
“That’s the same challenge Our Lord Jesus gives us today in the readings we have just heard.”
The bishop said each person had the God-given power to choose good or bad. And he reflected on the great moral benefits of the Scout Movement.
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