Less than a year after telling the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (GSWO) that they were no longer welcome at Catholic schools, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is striking a friendlier tone, allowing troops to meet … if they follow certain conditions.
In a letter sent to parishioners in October 2024, Dennis Schnurr, then archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, wrote that the scouting organization has embraced “an impoverished worldview regarding gender and sexuality.”
Schnurr ordered Girl Scout troops in diocesan schools to choose one of three options by the end of 2025: find another location, disband or convert to an American Heritage Girls (AHG) troop, a Christ-centered alternative scouting organization.
“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,” Schnurr wrote.
Schnurr retired in February 2025 and Pope Francis appointed Robert Casey as Cincinnati’s new archbishop. On September 30, the Archdiocese and GSWO announced that they were renewing their partnership following months of “intentional dialogue.”
As part of the renewed agreement, the Girl Scouts agreed to the following in order to use Catholic facilities:
- GSWO “employees, agents and volunteers shall not in any way advocate or promote a policy, program, resource, view or position that contradicts or undermines Archdiocese policy or Catholic teaching on faith or morals related to their services and programs for the troops and groups that are registered to meet at Catholic facilities.”
- AGSWO will place a footer on their webpage indicating that they can use Catholic facilities, but that “this does not mean that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati endorses all policies, programs, or resources of the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio or other Girl Scouts organizations.”
“Girl Scouts is a secular organization, and as such, they do not share all of our views,” said Casey in a statement. “As the Catholic Church we are called to uphold the Gospel and teach young people the Truth of the Catholic faith. Despite these differences, we have reached a mutual understanding that allows us to fulfill our mission as Church in the faithful formation of young girls while also accessing all that is best about Girl Scouting.”
“I am proud of this dialogue and the way we have focused on our shared desire for the flourishing of young women in virtue and faith, rather than being solely focused on our differences,” he added.
Aimée Sproles, president & CEO of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, said in the same statement that “this renewed partnership allows our Catholic Girl Scouts to have the support of their family and the Catholic community as they grow in courage, confidence, and character.” 🔥
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