The Girl Scouts organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, but the party has been spoiled somewhat by an official inquiry from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The bishops want clarification of the Scouts' relationship with groups whose goals contradict Catholic Church doctrine on sexuality.

The "possible problematic relationships with other organizations" mentioned in a March 28 letter from the bishop leading the investigation are not spelled out, but relate to a long-held belief by conservatives that the Girl Scouts are connected to Planned Parenthood, the family planning and women's health organization demonized by many religious conservatives as the center of the "abortion industry."

Any rift between the Catholic Church and the Girl Scouts could be awkward. The group estimates that Catholics make up about one-fourth of its membership, which nationwide amounts to 2.3 million girls and 890,000 adults, mostly volunteers .

"We work with all faiths. We are very inclusive," said Lisa Johnson, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, an 18,000-member regional council that comprises Palm Beach, Broward and four other counties. "It feels like guilt by association."

Girl Scouts leaders have consistently denied any relationship with Planned Parenthood, but anti-abortion websites continue to trumpet the relationship.

The bishops' inquiry amounts to a religious investigation of an organization that its leaders say has been steadfastly nonreligious and nonpartisan since it was founded in 1912. The letter was written by the Rev. Kevin Rhoades, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, and the bishop in charge of the investigation.

Full Story: Girl Scouts try to allay church suspicions

Source: Palm Beach Post