January 27, 2012
Bishop Thompson reaffirms diocesan relationship with Girl Scouts
Editor’s note: Following is the text of a statement from Bishop Charles C. Thompson, in regard to inquiries about the relationship of the Diocese of Evansville and Girl Scouts on the national and local level.
As Girl Scout cookie sales season is upon us, I am writing to address questions regarding our affiliation, as a diocese, with the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana (GSSI) and their parent organization, Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA). Before addressing specific issues, it is important to review our history with Girl Scouts. Dating back to 1914, the Catholic Church and Girl Scouts have shared a mutual concern for the well-being and character development of girls. Locally, Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana has advanced this purpose for nearly fifty-five years, and the Diocese of Evansville has welcomed and supported those activities and programs that have sought to improve the lives of Catholic girls throughout the Church in Southwest Indiana. The statement of purpose for Girl Scouts is to be “an organization that helps girls expand their horizons, build courage and character, and learn skills that prepare them for playing an important role in society as leaders and professionals.” We are grateful for the good work done by the dedicated staff and volunteers who have improved the lives of countless girls across the Diocese of Evansville for the last half-century. Keeping this before us, however, it is necessary to address recent concerns that have been raised with Girl Scouts and to make a statement about our affiliation.
Members of our diocesan staff and I have received emails and letters regarding a variety of issues pertinent to Girl Scouts; however, the main consideration is the reported association of GSUSA with other organizations whose activities are contrary to Catholic moral teaching. Certainly, should such a relationship exist, this would result in the need for our diocese to withdraw from our relationship with Girl Scouts; therefore, I instructed my staff to research this matter in great detail. As part of this process, several meetings were conducted between diocesan staff and representatives from Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana. I then met with representatives of Girl Scouts USA in Indianapolis last Novem-ber to again address certain issues of concern to me. Our review of the information has been thorough, and we have learned several facts regard-ing the relationship between GSUSA and local councils, like Girl Scouts of Southwest Indi-ana.
Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana has openly welcomed dialogue with the Diocese of Evansville, and they have gone so far as to draft a statement assuring me that no affiliations exist between Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana and any organization whose practices or policies run contrary to Catholic moral teaching. They have also provided me with a statement from Girl Scouts USA assuring me that no membership dues from local councils are used by the national organization to support such organizations or the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts. This being said, the focus of Girl Scouts is often determined by changing societal values, and this leaves open the possibility that policies and practices of Girl Scouts USA may require future review and a re-evaluation of my decision; however, at this time, I see no reason to alter our relationship with Girl Scouts USA or Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana. It is my hope that the good fruit borne of girl scouting will continue to grow throughout the diocese, and I offer my special thanks to our Catholic Girl Scouts for their service to our community.