Cincinnati Archdiocese, Girl Scouts reinstate their partnership a year after they broke ties

(OSV News) -- The Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio have renewed their partnership after the archdiocese broke ties with the group in October 2024 over its promotion of gender ideology that conflicts with church teaching.

The memorandum of understanding between the archdiocese and the scouts, signed Sept. 29 by Archbishop Robert S. Casey and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio President Aimée Sproles, reinstates the use of Catholic facilities as locations for scout activities, as approved by the pastor of those facilities. Facilities include parishes, schools, agencies and other institutions of the archdiocese.

The agreement states that any Girl Scouts employees, representatives or volunteers at these Catholic facilities "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 that meet at the approved facility. It also says the archdiocese alone can judge whether these are in violation of its policies or magisterial teachings on faith or morals.

The scouts have also been required to include a footnote on their webpage saying, "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."

In a joint press statement announcing the restoration of the decades-long association Sept. 30, Archbishop Casey said, "Girl Scouts is a secular organization, and as such, they do not share all of our views. 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," added the archbishop, who was installed as Cincinnati's new shepherd in April.

"At Girl Scouts, we believe that a part of girls' healthy development is encouraging girls in their spiritual journey, through partnerships with their individual faith communities," Sproles said in the statement. "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."

The scouts will be required to sign a facilities use agreement to be approved by the pastor before gathering at an archdiocese facility.

In October 2024, now-retired Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr -- citing the Girl Scouts' promotion of "an impoverished worldview regarding gender and sexuality" and calling it contrary to church teaching -- told pastors in the archdiocese to let go of their partnerships with the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio by the end of 2025.

Archbishop Schnurr's letter announcing the phase-out said the decision was made after consulting "the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and Deans, and with the recommendation of key archdiocesan leaders."

This followed "extensive research and interaction with" western Ohio Girl Scout leaders and two years of "mutually respectful communications and discussions" that did not result in any agreement "on an acceptable path forward."

The material the archdiocese found problematic includes LGBTQ+ and pride month patches promoting "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" that could be attained by delving into media materials recommended by, among others, a gay and straight network education policy advocate, according to the archdiocese.

In the joint statement issued Sept. 30, the archdiocese said the decision to reinstate its relationship with the scouts came about after the two sides engaged in "intentional dialogue" in recent months.

The dialogue was "grounded in mutual respect and a shared dedication to the well-being of girls," the statement said. "These conversations explored ways to continue working together in pursuit of our missions, even amid differences in our understanding of identity and the human person. The dialogue has been both fruitful and constructive, helping us envision the next chapter of our relationship."

The Girls Scouts of Western Ohio in partnership with the Cincinnati Archdiocese Office of Youth Evangelization and Discipleship also promotes "Catholic Faith Awards" for certain achievements in girls' faith life that progress along grade levels, as well as multiple Catholic- themed patches of saints and prominent women in scripture.

The awards are part of the Girl Scouts' recognition program of its members' service within their own faith communities.