The following comes from an Apr. 16 story on LifeSiteNews.
A US Conference of Catholic Bishops report two years in the making says that “attentiveness” is needed in regard to some practices of the Girl Scouts that go against Catholic doctrine.
In the report, the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth explains that it had “exchanges” that “were pleasant, informative and respectful” with Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. But while the committee said the “Girl Scout staff was generous with their time” and “indicated a strong desire and willingness to work more closely with the Catholic Church in the United States,” the report expressed concern with several Girl Scout policies, affiliations, and structural weaknesses.
Girl Scout critic Christy Volanski of Speak Now: Girl Scouts said the bishops’ report was helpful in highlighting how Girl Scouts USA allows local councils to work with Planned Parenthood, and in criticizing its “ardent support, promotion and funding” of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts because of its promotion of “sexual and reproductive rights.”
She noted, however, “some families are disappointed that the bishops did not address in more detail the concerns with troublesome role models and organizations that Girl Scouts routinely promote to girls.”
“Hopefully, laity and clergy will research and consider the on-going issues relating to the Girl Scout curriculum sold and promoted by every local council, in which Girl Scouts recommend groups and women which actively work in opposition to the Catholic Church,” she said.
The bishops’ report focuses on three issues: 1) Girl Scouts USA’s relationship with groups like Planned Parenthood and international affiliate World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts ; 2) Girl Scouts’ views on issues related “to human sexuality, contraception, and abortion;” and 3) various materials and resources Girl Scouts USA has that may have “inappropriate content.”
With regards to Girl Scout affiliations, the report largely accepts Girl Scouts USA’s claim that they have no relationship with Planned Parenthood. However, it says that “attentiveness” is needed to prevent local groups — which act independently as their own 501c(3) organizations — from partnering with morally objectionable organizations, including Planned Parenthood.
The report is firmer with regards to Catholic concerns about the world association. While the international group claims it does not formally back abortion, language on its website left the Committee with no doubt that such support exists, as well as support for contraceptive use….
The harshest criticism of Girl Scouts USA may have come when the report noted strong references to contraception and other non-abstinence measures related to sexuality on the GSUSA website. According to the report, “attentiveness is needed to avoid programming and initiatives that are not in accord with Catholic teaching. In addition, the Committee shared concerns with GSUSA about particular areas of research on the GSUSA website related to human sexuality and contraception, given the impossibility of a neutral treatment of such issues.”
….When asked how personal viewpoints on issues affect Girl Scout policies, Girl Scouts USA spokesperson Kelly Parisi, a former vice president of marketing and communications for the strongly pro-abortion Ms. Foundation for Women, said that “the viewpoints of staff do not impact our partnerships. All of our partners, which can be found here, are in line with our mission of serving all girls and in line with our non-political non-partisan stance.” Those partners include the United Nations and the Environmental Protection Agency, among dozens of other private and public organizations.
Volanski, who along with her daughter spent eight years involved with Girl Scouts of America, noted that Girl Scouts promotes groups like the ACLU and Amnesty International, both which advocate for abortion and other moral evils.
To read the entire story, click here.
The U.S. Bishops are too weak! Instead– where is their traditional role, of leadership of the Catholic faithful?? They need to once again develop a strong, “practicing Catholic” Church, with excellent leadership!! Excommunicate “bad Catholics!” Excommunicate anyone who is a Catholic who has anything to do with something evil, like Planned Parenthood! It is MORTAL SIN!! Have the GUTS to say it– and MEAN BUSINESS! A strong Church, that really means business, will greatly diminish the power of organizations such as Planned Parenthood! Where is the Family Rosary Crusade, of Fr. Patrick Peyton? And the Legion of Mary? It all has disappeared, since Vatican II, along with the life of the true, “practicing Catholic,” and Catholic home and family! The Blessed Mother and her Rosary, are a great weapon against all evils of this world! And also, a great source of protection!
I did my own research on Girl Scout affiliation with Planned Parenthood; their support of pro abort politicians; their push for women out of the home and into the board room; their push for 3rd world women to believe that if they have a family they will live in poverty–better to have a couple of cows or sheep–then they will have money. It goes on and on. A little Girl Scout troop at the parish is no big deal–but the cookie sales has to stop–that money supports evil in the world and ultimately hurts women, children and families. Once again, I feel that the the leadership in the Church is not clear nor concise–I think the word is “wishy washy”. As faithful Catholic’s we must understand what the Church teaches and know that any organization that supports what I listed above, should be avoided and that means “don’t buy cookies” and work to change the GS ideology from within.
If anyone has any question about where the Girls Scouts stand on sex education and abortion, please do a SEARCH on the Girl Scout training – HEALTHY, HOT AND HAPPY. It will tell you all you want to know regarding the Girls Scouts and their leadership. Why the Bishops cannot take a firmer stand on the Girl Scouts is beyond comprehension? The organization should not be allowed in any Catholic School or organization.
amy,
Pray that most, if not all, of our Bishops convert to the True Catholic Faith!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerikca!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Kenneth… Are you saying that most or all of the bishops don’t practice the true Catholic faith. If so, Isn’t that pretty extreme sepratism?
Congratulations to Sandra D for hitting the nail on the head. Her comments
say it all. But I am even opposed to Girl Scout Troops in our Catholic Schools.
They are obliged to participate in the Cookie Sale and this money goes to supporting Planned Parenthood and abortion throughout the world. Coming out of mass and seeing the Girl Scouts selling their cookies is just NOT the message we should be sending to our Catholic community. Call your local Bishop and express your displeasure with the Girls Scouts in our Catholic Schools.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is as weak as water. Why try to make a deal with people who persistently promote what is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church?
“attentiveness” = observe and do nothing = what the USCCB does best
Typical response from the USCCB. They have done more harm to the church than almost anyone else expect the homosexual priests.
I have not bought Girls Scout cookies for so many years I do not remember; it is a waste of hard-earned money. Hilary”s endorsement of them is a “good” way to sucker young women into taking the Birth Control Pill, a carcinogen (cancer causing) or pushing so-called “safe” abortion, which it is not, either to the child ripped apart or burned to death in the womb or the woman. Many women have been injured or died from so-called safe, legal abortions.