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The Archbishop Is Troubled By The Girl Scout Ethos, Not the Cookies
By Francis X. Clines February 25, 2016 4:34 pm February 25, 2016 4:34 pmComment
Credit Kim Raff for The New York Times
So far, the Trefoils and Samoas have not been interdicted. Nor have the Thin Mints and Tagalongs. Catholics in St. Louis began asking about the fate of the Girl Scout cookie sale soon after Archbishop Robert Carlson called on parishes to consider alternatives to the scouts because of “a troubling pattern of behavior” he finds “incompatible” with church teachings on such issues as contraception and abortion.
“Can I still buy Girl Scout Cookies?” was one of the questions the archdiocese posted on its website to explain the implications of the archbishop’s letter to the faithful. The official response: “Each person must act in accord with their conscience.”
The archbishop stopped short of demanding an end to Girl Scout troop meetings on church grounds, but he urged parishes to seek alternatives, accusing the Girl Scouts of associating with organizations “in conflict with Catholic values,” like Amnesty International and Oxfam. “This is especially troubling in regards to sex education and advocacy for ‘reproductive rights’ (i.e. abortion and contraceptive access, even for minors).” He cited his concerns about “transgender and homosexual issues” in relation to the scouts and “role models in conflict with Catholic values,” reaching back into feminist history to cite Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan.
There was no shortage of Catholic defenders of the Girl Scouts. “I think it all comes down to the fact they are threatened by anything that puts females in a leadership position,” Julie Mudd told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I was a Girl Scout, my mom was a den leader for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and I’m planning to become active when my little girl enters scouting. It was a great experience. It was really empowering.”
Bonnie Barczykowski, chief executive of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, defended the scouts’ 100-year history of working with the archdiocese. “Girls gain valuable social and leadership skills,” she said, confident that generations across the community know this well. Ms. Barczykowski did not directly challenge the archbishop. She did note: “The Girl Scout Cookie program is the most anticipated and participated-in activity in Girl Scouting.” Thin Mints lead the pack among the cookie faithful, according to the scouts
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