Kansas archdiocese parts ways with girl scouts due to link with Planned Parenthood

The Archdiocese of Kansas City has ended its partnership with the Girl Scouts, citing its ties to Planned Parenthood as one of the reasons for the decision.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann issued a statement on Monday, saying he has asked the pastors of the Archdiocese to "begin the process of transitioning away from the hosting of parish Girl Scout troops and toward the chartering of American Heritage Girls troops."

Naumann said that Girl Scouts of USA (GSUSA) is no longer a compatible partner with the church because of its promotion of programs and materials that are "reflective of many of the troubling trends in our secular culture."

The archbishop alleged that the organization contributes more than a million dollars each year to World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS), which he said is tied to International Planned Parenthood.

The Catholic church's partnership with the GSUSA goes back more than 100 years, but it has become strained in recent years due to the scouting organization's purported support for abortion and LGBTQ members. However, GSUSA stated on its website that it does not have an official position on reproductive rights and sexuality issues. The group also denied that it is affiliated with Planned Parenthood.

Naumann called on priests back in January to put an end to Girl Scout cookie sales in Catholic schools in the archdiocese after the 2016–2017 school year.

The decision drew criticism from scout leaders and parents in the archdiocese, calling the move punitive and unfair. They argued that Girl Scouts is a respected program that helps raise strong girls who become good stewards.

"This is frustrating; parents are very irritated," said Maria Walters, a former scout leader and mother of two Girl Scouts.

"I don't know why you would take an organization out of a school when it provides an option for girls to feel like they're part of a group," she added.

Walters said that some Girl Scout members switched to the American Heritage Girls (AHG), which is described as a "Christ-centered character development program for girls ages 5 to 18."

AHG, which is based in Cincinnati, has 1,005 troops and more than 47,000 members, according to Patti Garibay, national executive director and founder of AHG.

She said that the organization was started 22 years ago as "a little club" for her daughter.

AHG has become an attractive option for the archdiocese because of its opposition to abortion. Some of its troops have participated in protests and prayer vigils outside abortion clinics, according to Kansas City Star.

Deacon Dana Nearmyer, the archdiocese's director of evangelization, said that the response to adopt the AHG program has been positive. He said that about 150 to 200 girls in the archdiocese have already signed up to join AHG.

"But we're kind of ramping up to try to support folks as it comes online, because those numbers will swell." he said.