The ceremony granting the recognition took place today at the headquarters of the Pontifical Council for the Laity in Rome, in the presence of its president, Cardinal James Stafford.
«This recognition is an encouragement to us to continue with renewed commitment our wonderful task of contributing to the formation of the man of faith, son of the Church, educating youths to be good Christians and good citizens, in communion with the other Scout associations of Europe and the world,» said Attilio Greco, president of the federation.
«You are a precious gift not only for the Church but also for the new Europe,» John Paul II said in a message sent to the European Scouts attending the international meeting in Zelasko, Poland, last month.
The international union has 60,000 members in 20 European countries and Canada. See www.uigse.org.
