St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson is taking on a serious issue facing St. Louis-area families. Poverty? Nah. Education? Nope. Criminal justice reform? No way. Leave that stuff to Pope Francis. Archbishop Carlson has real problems to deal with in St. Louis. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Yep. You read that right. Archbishop Carlson is urging families to keep their daughters away from the 100-year-old organization founded to "builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place."
Excerpts from Archbishop Carlson's letter to area priests and parishioners:
“Girl Scouts is exhibiting a troubling pattern of behavior and it is clear to me that as they move in the ways of the world it is becoming increasingly incompatible with our Catholic values,” Carlson wrote in a letter dated Thursday. “We must stop and ask ourselves — is Girl Scouts concerned with the total well-being of our young women? Does it do a good job forming the spiritual, emotional, and personal well-being of Catholic girls?”
Archbishop Carlson cited the Girl Scouts advocacy for sex education and commitment to "reproductive rights," including contraceptives and abortion rights. Can’t have those little ladies learning the facts about how to prevent pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases!
I take all of these concerns very seriously. Therefore, I am asking each pastor that allows Girl Scout troops to meet on parish property to conduct a meeting with troop leadership to review these concerns and discuss implementing alternative options for the formation of our girls. Our primary obligation is to help our girls grow as women of God. Several alternative organizations exist, many of which have a Catholic or Christian background. For more information on each of these organizations and a more detailed listing of ongoing concerns, please visit archstl.org/scouting. I ask that you carefully study each organization and strongly consider offering one of these programs in your parish instead of Girl Scouts.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, there are currently 4,000 Girl Scouts who meet in Catholic churches with their troops. And some of the parents, including those who’s daughters attend Catholic schools, are not happy:
“I think they are too focused on other people the Girl Scouts may have some associations with rather than what our local girl scout chapters are actually doing,” said Julie Mudd of St. Louis.
And more from Julie Mudd:
“I think it all comes down to the fact they are threatened by anything that puts females in a leadership position,” she said
In a helpful post on their website, the Archdiocese clarified their position and offered helpful guidance for parents on hard-hitting questions like "can I still buy the cookies?" Sure, but just remember, you’ll probably go to hell for those peanut butter sandwiches. Tagalongs? Only if you are tagging along with the devil.
The Girl Scout cookie discussion also warns that these conversations should be among parents and parents alone. Do NOT tell those un-pure future sluts why you won’t be buying any Thin Mints this year. Save the discussion for their mother and father.
Each person must act in accord with their conscience. It is also our duty to form our consciences and learn the issues. Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:
There is a licensing fee attached to each box of Girl Scout cookies produced, paid to GSUSA. Licensing fees paid to GSUSA on all trademarked Girl Scout items (cookies, Girl Scout curriculum books and badges, ice creams, coffee creamers, etc.) amounts to millions of dollars every year. (See: Does any of the money from cookie sales go to Girl Scouts of the USA?) On average, only 10-20% of the total cookie revenue remains with the troop selling the cookies. (See: How can I be sure that Girl Scout Cookie Program revenue supports the local Girl Scouts in my community?)
We echoe the statement of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, that it is important not to debate these issues with individual girls who are selling cookies. These conversations must "remain among adults".