St Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson stated in an open letter that the organisation promotes values "incompatible" with Catholic teachings.

The archbishop urged parishes that host Girl Scout meetings to consider alternative programmes that are more Catholic- or Christian-based.

Archbishop Carlson's letter states that Girl Scouts of the USA and affiliated organisations promote role models like Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan who are "in conflict with Catholic values".

The letter states the organisation promotes and is partners with groups that advocate for things such as contraception and abortion rights.

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But Ivan Dragicevic reportedly had an "apparition" in a private residence in a town in Missouri instead.

According to the Medjugorje Today website, Mr Dragicevic "consoled" about 75 people in the private home.

Medjugorje Today said people came by private invitation and no one was charged admission.

Mr Dragicevic had been scheduled to speak at Lindenwood University in St Charles, Missouri, in an event organised by the local Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich Foundation.

About 1000 people were expected to attend.

But Archbishop Robert Carlson of St Louis issued a memo on March 3 to priests and deacons in the archdiocese.

"I have received a request from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to remind everyone that they are not to participate in events that promote the so-called visionaries of Medjugorje and in particular Mr Ivan Dragicevic," the memo stated.

It added that an event scheduled for March 18 had been cancelled, and that no other such events should be scheduled.

In 2010, the CDF launched an investigation into the alleged visions at Medjugorje.

In 2013, the apostolic nuncio to the United States wrote to every diocese in the country about events involving Medjugorje seers.

The nuncio's letter, written at the request of the CDF prefect, stated that Catholics "are not permitted" to participate in meetings which take for granted that the supposed Marian apparitions in Medjugorje are credible.

The CDF had stated that, based on research to date, it was not possible to state that there were apparitions or supernatural experiences.

Therefore Catholics should not attend "meetings, conferences or public celebrations" during which the credibility of such "apparitions" would be taken for granted.

Mr Dragicevic travels back and forth between Bosnia and the United States speaking at various churches and experiences visions almost on demand.

Following the cancellation of the March 18 event, Mr Dragicevic stated "I have always been obedient to the authority of the Church and I will continue to remain in total obedience".

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Te Deum blog
• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Medjugorje San Remo