Archdiocese of Cincinnati (AOC) partnership with
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (GSWO)
October 2024
“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.”
– 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.
In October 2024, after consultation with the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and Deans, and with the recommendation of key archdiocesan leaders, Archbishop Schnurr announced the discontinuance of the AOC’s partnership with the Girl Scouts, to take place over a 14-month timetable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific evidence did the AOC uncover?
Objectionable materials/promotion include:
- Cadette version of the Inclusive. Together. patch:
Includes a “Social Identity Wheel” activity that encourages girls to identify their sexual orientation (heterosexual or LGBTQ) and gender identity (boy, girl, gender non-binary, transgender, intersex, cisgender) in group conversations.
- LGBTQ+ Pride Month Fun patch:
- Encourages the use of key terms and definitions from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
- Example definition: “Gender: A set of cultural identities, expressions and roles – codified as feminine or masculine – that are assigned to people, based upon the interpretation of their bodies, and more specifically, their sexual and reproductive anatomy. Since gender is a social construction, it is possible to reject or modify the assignment made and develop something that feels truer and just to oneself.”
- Provides GLSEN recommended book lists.
- Example from the GLSEN Elementary School Booklist: I am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthal. “From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body…”.
- Recommends girls watch and share with their friends a movie or documentary about LGBTQ+ history. Examples include Milk (2008), rated R, and The Outlist (2013), TV-MA on HBO.
- Recommends participation in LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations.
- Encourages the use of key terms and definitions from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
- GSWO Social Media promotion
- Posting links to the Inclusive. Together. patch.
- Posting links to the LGBTQ+ Pride Month Fun
- Promoting Phoebe Wall, a 2019 National Gold Award Girl Scout who founded Glitterary, “a digital literary magazine for LGBTQ+ youth. The magazine’s goal was to normalize the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and to publish works with a more accurate spectrum of gender and sexual identities.”
My Catholic Girl Scout troop never encountered anything objectionable and has done a lot of good in teaching Catholic virtues and beliefs. Why should we be impacted?
It is certainly true that most, if not all, of the Girl Scout troops associated with Catholic parishes and schools in the archdiocese have not participated in anything objectionable. The leaders of these troops have promoted and modelled what it means to be a faithful Catholic woman through both troop activities and pursuit of Religious Awards. This decision is not a reflection on any of the local troop leaders.
It is 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 that the Church considers false and harmful to girls, regardless of the good that otherwise might be accomplished through that organization.
Is the Archdiocese suggesting that Catholic girls should not be involved in Girl Scouts?
Parents have the right and responsibility to make moral choices on behalf of their minor children – it is not the place of the Church to make such decisions. The Church does, however, have a responsibility to form consciences and educate the faithful on possible dangers. We encourage parents to carefully consider the USCCB and AOC findings regarding the Girl Scouts in order to make informed prudential decisions.
How do we talk to our daughters and/or the girls in our troops about this decision?
Such conversations would necessarily have to be tailored to the particular troop or girl. A basic outline might include:
- Assure the girls that they have done nothing wrong and that their troop leaders have done nothing wrong.
- Make it very clear that they continue to be loved and welcomed with open arms by their parish and school.
- Engage in an age-appropriate conversation regarding the approaches to sexuality and gender over which the Girls Scouts of the USA and the Catholic Church do not agree and which were unable to be resolved even after many discussions.
- Reinforce that girls can continue to proudly be Girl Scouts and Catholics.
- Let girls know that, despite leaders not finding a path forward, there are still ways to connect scouting and their faith through Catholic awards, certain activities, Mass, etc.
- Help girls express their feelings of sadness and disappointment that accompanies this information.
What are the options for my Girl Scout troop?
By the end of calendar year 2025, every Girl Scout troop operating on any Catholic campus in the AOC must decide to do one of the following:
- Convert to an American Heritage Girls troop
- Find another location at which to meet
- Disband
What does “discontinuing the partnership” mean from a practical standpoint?
From now until the end of calendar year 2025, Girl Scout troops may continue to meet on campus in accordance with any scheduling or other protocols of the parish or school. The 14-month timetable recognizes the decisions and steps that troop leaders will need to take. There are likely a number of important events scheduled, projects underway, and badges being pursued. Lastly, in the event that a troop decides to convert to an AHG troop, this allows the time to do so.
During this 14-month period, the following activities, which would typically be associated with ministries of the parish or school, shall be phased out:
- Promotion: Listing on the parish/school website, bulletin, or any other source of official parish or school communication. Distribution of Girl Scout materials on campus or through parish or school communications.
- Recruitment: Having a table or booth at parish or school functions (e.g. Open House), signage on the campus, or using parish or school communication channels for recruitment.
What types of support will continue at parishes and schools for Catholic girls who are Girl Scouts?
Engaging and nurturing Catholic girls/young women in their faith and in the life of the Church remain priorities of every parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The conclusion of the partnership between the archdiocese and the Girl Scouts in no way diminishes the importance of this. With the agreement of your pastor or principal, as appropriate, a parish may support activities such as:
- Approval and recognition of Catholic Awards
- Access to parish space and resources (e.g. taking a church tour) required to earn Catholic Awards
- Organization of, or participation in, parish service projects
- Recognition/blessing at Mass for noteworthy accomplishments
- Access to any faith formation events and resources offered by parish Youth Ministry
How can I find out more about starting an American Heritage Girls troop?
AHG has chartered troops in every U.S. state and 15 countries. There are a handful of AHG troops currently chartered in parishes across the AOC. Archbishop Schnurr wholeheartedly endorses AHG and urges anyone looking for a scouting program that will form girls in faith and virtue to consider starting or converting to an AHG troop. For more information on how to do so, visit https://americanheritagegirls.org/start-a-troop/charter-organizations/ or contact Ms. Julie Goodwin, AHG Catholic Relations Specialist, at [email protected] or 515.771.2025, ext. 158.
What about the Catholic Awards offered through the Catholic Committee on Scouting? Will those still be available?
Yes, the Catholic religious awards offered by the USCCB to all scouting organizations will still be available. It is the right and responsibility of all the baptized to be witnesses to Jesus Christ in every area of his or her life. If this includes involvement in the Girl Scouts of America, then Catholics are encouraged to bring the light of Christ into their troop. Catholic religious awards provide good teaching and activities to grow in the Catholic faith.
Why has the American Heritage Girls received the endorsement of Archbishop Schnurr?
AHG is an overtly Christian organization whose mission is “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” AHG is openly Christ-centered and dedicated to helping girls respond to God’s call to grow in purity, service, stewardship and integrity. Moreover, AHG expressly believes that every person is made in the image of God. The organization and its values are perfectly aligned with Catholic youth ministry.
Why were the Boy Scouts not included in this announcement?
This announcement addresses the specific findings for GSUSA and GSWO and the inability to find a mutually acceptable path forward for partnership with Girl Scouts.
Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) continues to be an approved scouting organization in the AOC. This status, as with all scouting organizations, is reviewed by the AOC from time-to-time.
Are there other Scouting Organizations that are approved by the AOC?
Other approved scouting organizations can be found HERE.
