“Engage” is the theme of the 16th World Scout Moot, which will take place in Portugal from July 25 to August 3. The motto challenges Rovers to engage, that is, to connect and interact with the world around them. For that purpose, a panoply of different experiences and activities will be lived by some thousands of participants.
Life and spirituality will be one of the dimensions of the week’s scouting experience. As usual in these international events, a Faith and Beliefs area will be available, offering Rovers and IST alike an opportunity to learn more about other religious groups.
It is certainly a good choice to include spirituality as a fundamental dimension of the Rovers’ life. Since the Moot is not a confessional activity, some modern (negative) trends could establish a potential imbalance in addressing issues about the deep meaning of life and the relationship with the transcendent. A first possibility would be to eliminate the question. If we do not all believe in the same “Thing”, it is not worth talking about it, lest someone should feel offended. The other would be a kind of light, “one size fits all” spirituality. Both would be superficial answers. Neither of these options takes seriously the real challenges of life and the importance of religious experience, lived in dialogue with other proposals and paths.
In this sense, the presence of ICCS at the Moot seeks to contribute to raising questions and sharing experiences. In fact, the presence of several religious denominations in the Faith and Beliefs area shows the importance of diversity within global Scouting, which is nothing more than a consequence of the famous “Duty to God” principle, a structuring point of the Scouting experience. ICCS, therefore, intends to mark its presence at the Moot by showing itself as it is, sharing its gifts. In short, we want to enrich the Scouting experience of Catholics and non-Catholics, proposing reflection, dialogue, prayer and shared experiences. The ICCS – as well as other denominational organizations, for sure – is committed to helping Rovers not to live spiritual and religious issues in seeking a mere lowest common denominator. We can do much more. If we are “engaged” in it!
This will certainly be one of this Summer’s greatest moments!
N.B. Among other activities, we will be able to celebrate Catholic Mass in the football field, near the main camp, Saturday 2nd of August at 18h.
Fr. Daniel Nascimento National Chaplain of CNE (Portugal) and Coordinator of the ICCS presence at the World Scout Moot 2025