Northeast Ohioan Edward Martin, the head of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting said the Boy Scouts' vote in May to admit homosexual youth into their ranks is "not in conflict with Catholic teaching," something by which "we should be encouraged."
Martin, the committee's national chairman, said Scouting is "still the best youth-serving program available to all youth."
He added, "We need to use this opportunity to show our commitment to making Catholic Scouting a safe environment for all youth in which the Catholic faith is taught, practiced and nurtured." Martin's letter to Scouters, dated May 29, was posted May 30 on the National Catholic Committee on Scourting's website.