SIR,—I read with interest the article by Fr. Aloys Carpay on the Young Guard in the CATHOLIC HERALD of May 12.
The aims and ideals of this movement are indeed excellent and, as Fr. Carpay admits, based on those of the Scout movement. Why, however, should it be necessary to start a new movement on these lines when Catholic Scouting already flourishes in Holland? The Scout movement, which has the blessing of the late Holy Father and the patronage ef the Hierarchy in every European country where it exists is surely an ideal method of training Catholic youth along the lines described in Fr. Carpay's article.
Scouting may not appeal to all boys, for those to whom it does not, there is the Catholic Boys' Club. To form, however, a new organisation which contains all the essentials of Scouting—even the uniform, if one may judge by the photograph—seems to be dividing at a time when unity is strength. Those who were present at the Jamboree held in Holland two years ago must have been greatly impressed by the strength of Catholic Scouting in that country. It seems, therefore, a pity that the zeal and organising ability of Fr. Carpay should be devoted to the formation of a new movement when all the machinery already exists to carry out these very ideals.
E. W. Lon.
(Hon. Secretary, Catholic Scout Advisory Council).
96, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.