Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr Ends Problematic Partnership With Girl Scouts in His Jurisdiction

On October 28th, 2024, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, issued an official letter titled, “Letter to the Faithful Regarding Girl Scouts.” The letter established a timeline ending all partnerships between Catholic parishes/schools in the archdiocese and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).

The letter began with most reverend Archbishop Schnurr expressing gratitude for all faithful Catholics in his archdiocese who have faithfully served and ministered to the youth through the Girl Scouts of the USA. 

He thanked them for their work, and expressed his condolences for the unfortunate decision that had to be made. He noted that the decision was not made lightly, nor was it made rashly. The decision was only made after a failure to reach an acceptable agreement with the GSUSA leadership over the past two years of discussion and communication.

The central reason for the split is over the ideological stumbling block that has, in recent years, crept into the upper management of GSUSA, which has made the partnership no longer tenable. Archbishop Schnurr writes,

“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” (Taken from the Official Archdiocese of Cincinnati Website).

It is sad to see such a memorable and wholesome American institution such as the Girl Scouts of the USA fail to operate in a way consistent and compatible with the Catholic parishes and schools from whose partnerships they have benefited from for so long.

The Archbishop, understanding that such a decision will take time to implement, said that there would be a 14-month grace period between the issuance of the letter to the faithful and the end of calendar year 2025. During that time, no new GSUSA troops/groups will be allowed to be created or attached to a Catholic parish or school. After this grace period, all GSUSA troops that meet in a Catholic parish or school will either need to disband, find a new meeting place, or convert themselves to be an American Heritage Girls troop.

The letter concludes with a link to further resources, including a history of communications with the GSUSA and efforts made by the archdiocese to correct errors plaguing the GSUSA dating back to 2012 with GSUSA’s promotion of abortion and contraception.