(10-29-24)

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr

Unfortunately, in recent years, Girl Scouts of the USA has embraced and promoted an impoverished worldview regarding gender and sexuality. Through some of their activities, resources, badges and awards, Girl Scouts – including the local chapter, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio – has contributed to normalizing a sexual and gender ideology contrary to the Catholic understanding of the human person made male and female in the image and likeness of God.  

After consultation with the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and Deans, and with the recommendation of key archdiocesan leaders, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has instructed the pastors of the archdiocese to discontinue their parishes’ partnerships with the Girl Scouts over a 14-month (November 2024 – December 2025) timetable. 

How did we get here?

2012: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Inquiry into GSUSA

Responding to reports of contributions from GSUSA to the World Association of Girl Guides & Scouts (WAGGS), an organization tied to International Planned Parenthood and its advocacy for legislation that includes both artificial contraception and abortion as “preventive healthcare for women,” the USCCB conducted an extensive investigation. This investigation resulted in the USCCB advising dioceses to reach an understanding with their local Girl Scout chapter(s) regarding what would and would not be acceptable for Catholic troops. 

2016: AOC and GSWO Agree on a Memorandum of Understanding

Following the results and recommendations of the USCCB investigation, the AOC reached agreement with the local Girls Scouts council, GSWO, on a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining what would and would not be acceptable relative to Girl Scout troops in the archdiocese. 

2021: MOU Expires; Additional Concerns Identified

At the expiration of the existing MOU, in preparation for the planned creation of a new MOU, staff from the AOC began looking at the materials and resources offered and promoted by GSWO. This investigation yielded concerns previously not identified about a growing advocacy, both at the national and local levels, for sexual and gender ideologies contrary to the Catholic understanding of the human person and moral teaching of the Church. 

Cordial and mutually respectful discussions between the AOC and GSWO about these concerns began but were stalled at one point by a change in leadership at GSWO. Over this two-year period, further concerns along the same lines were identified.  

2023: New MOUs Proposed

In November 2023, with input from a moral theologian, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati proposed a new MOU to GSWO. This proposed MOU recognized that GSWO could not change the advocacy trajectory of GSUSA, but requested that GSWO cease promotion of activities, resources, badges and awards repugnant to Catholic teaching. 

In December 2023, GSWO offered a new MOU of their own. This proposed MOU failed to address the fundamental concerns of the archdiocese. AOC staff then edited the GSWO proposal to include terms essential to reaching a common understanding and proposed this revision to the GSWO.  

2024: Impasse

In April 2024, leaders from both the AOC and GSWO met to attempt to resolve differences with wording of the MOU. At this juncture, it became clear that there was no apparent path forward. 

In August 2024, Archbishop Schnurr endorsed the American Heritage Girls (AHG) as the “preferred scouting option for girls” in the archdiocese based on its mission, consistent with that of Catholic youth ministry, of “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” AHG’s vision of the human person is congruent with that of the Catholic Church.   

Letter to Parishioners —

October 28, 2024

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

God’s blessings to you and your family.  I write to you today to convey a difficult decision regarding our longstanding partnership with Girl Scouts in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  After consultation with the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and Deans, and with the recommendation of key archdiocesan leaders, I have instructed pastors of the archdiocese to discontinue their parishes’ partnerships with the Girl Scouts.

Scouting is fundamentally good – it builds virtue, discipline and community.  It helps form responsible, well-rounded citizens.  Scouting has a strong, multi-generational heritage in our country, one associated with positive values and memories.  Scouting can be an efficacious part of Catholic youth ministry, espousing a way of life congruent with the Gospel, as it has in our own archdiocese for decades.  Many of you have served as scout leaders, faithfully helping young people incorporate the values and lessons traditionally associated with scouting into their lives.  I am deeply grateful for your dedication to this calling.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has embraced and promoted an impoverished worldview regarding gender and sexuality. Through some of their activities, resources, badges and awards, Girl Scouts – including the local chapter, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio – has contributed to normalizing a sexual and gender ideology contrary to the Catholic understanding of the human person made male and female in the image and likeness of God.  Our greatest responsibility as the Catholic Church is fidelity to the Gospel and sharing the saving mission of Christ.  It is therefore essential that all youth programs at our parishes and schools affirm virtues and values consistent with the teaching of Jesus Christ.  The Archdiocese of Cincinnati cannot partner with an organization that, from its highest level, advocates ideas which the Church considers false and harmful.

Please know that this decision has not been made lightly.  It only comes after extensive research and interaction with leaders of the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.  We have attempted to mitigate the influence of GSUSA at the local level; however, despite mutually respectful discussions and communication with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio over the past two years, we have been unable to agree on an acceptable path forward.

The timetable for the conclusion of the partnership with the Girl Scouts will extend over the next 14 months out of respect for the decisions and steps that will need to be taken by those impacted.  By the end of calendar year 2025, every Girl Scout troop currently operating on any Catholic campus must: (1) convert to an American Heritage Girls troop; (2) find another location at which to meet; or (3) disband.  In the meantime, no new Girl Scout troops may be established, and Girl Scouts may not be featured or promoted as an official ministry or extracurricular activity of any Catholic parish or school in the archdiocese.

More information on this matter, including how to start or convert to an American Heritage Girls troop, can be found at https://catholicaoc.org/girl-scouts.

While this development is difficult to share, it does not diminish my profound respect and appreciation for the many Girl Scout leaders in our archdiocese who have faithfully served our youth.  Your mentorship has made a difference in the lives of many and I am very grateful for your service.

Please join me in praying for the renewal of our culture and country through the good news of Jesus Christ and the intercession of our Blessed Mother.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr–Archbishop of Cincinnati