Kansas archdiocese ending relationship with Girl Scouts over 'troubling trends'

The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, is cutting ties with the Girl Scouts, because the organization is "no longer a compatible partner in helping us form young women with the virtues and values of the Gospel."

Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann made the announcement on Monday. Naumann said the Girl Scouts promote "programs and material reflective of many of the troubling trends in our secular culture," like contraception, and gave Catholic parishes that host troops two options: They can either "quickly" phase out meetings, or let Scout members "graduate" over time and not replace them. This isn't the first time the archdiocese has targeted the group; in January, it said that at the end of the school year, Girl Scout cookie sales would be banned on Catholic school and parish properties.

Naumann suggested that instead of Girl Scouts, Catholic parents could send their children to meetings of American Heritage Girls, which bills itself as the "premier national character development organization for girls ages 5 to 18 that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement." They do not sell Thin Mints.

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