www.upcatholic.org
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
March 12, 2021
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USCCB: Moderna's, Pfizer's coronavirus vaccines ethically preferable to Johnson & Johnson's
(CNA) The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on March 2, reiterated the Vaticans teach- ing on COVID-19 vaccines produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines, after a vaccine devel- oped by Johnson & Johnson received FDA approval. The bishops echoed the Vatican in stating that it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines produced using cell lines from aborted fetuses when no alternative is available, but if possible, Catholics ought to choose a vaccine with a more remote con- nection to abortion. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged that when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not availableit is morally ac- ceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process, the bishops wrote in a March 2 statement. That description applies to the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which used abortion-derived HEK-293 cell lines in design and development, pro- duction, and lab testing. In contrast, mRNA vaccines available from Pfizer and Moderna have an ex- tremely remote connection to abortion in the design and testing phases, leading ethicists to judge those vaccines ethically uncontroversial. [I]f one can choose among equally safe and effec- tive COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines should be chosen, the USCCB said. Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna's vac- cines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnsons. The statement was signed by Bishop Kevin Rhoad- es of Fort Wayne-South Bend and Archbishop Jo- seph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, who heads the USCCB committees on doctrine and pro-life activities, respectively. While we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortion-derived cell lines, given the world-wide suf- feringthatthispandemiciscausing,weirmagain that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good, the bishops concluded. The USCCB's clarification follows a Feb. 26 state- ment from the Archdiocese of New Orleans calling the Johnson & Johnson vaccine morally compro- mised because of its connection with abortion. While not prohibiting Catholics from receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if no other ethical alternative is available, the archdiocese advised Catholics to seek out the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines if possible. [W]e advise that if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available, Catholics should choose to receive either of those vaccines rather than to receive the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of its extensive use of abortion-derived cell lines, the statement reads. Bishop Michael Duca of Baton Rouge also weighed in on the matter this week in a March 1 letter to the faithful. [M]y guidance to the faithful of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is to accept as your first choices the vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna, but if for any reasonable circumstance you are only able to receive the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, you should feel free to do so for your safety and for the common good, Bishop Duca wrote. By contrast, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Di- ego wrote March 3 that on the concrete moral and pastoral question of receiving the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson or Astra-Zeneca vaccines, I want to make clear to the Catholic communities of San Diego and Imperial Counties that in the current pandemic moment, with limited vaccine options available to achieve healing for our nation and our world, it is entirely morally legitimate to receive any of these four vaccines, and to recognize, as Pope Francis has noted, that in receiving them we are tru- ly showing love for our neighbor and our God. America Magazine published a March 2 article with Catholic commenters suggesting it is unhelp- ful for the USCCB and other bishops to imply that people will have a choice in which vaccine to receive and arguing that Catholics should be comfortable taking any vaccine they are offered. Many vaccines are produced by using certain human cell lines; common vaccines, including those used to inoculate children for smallpox, measles, and rubella, have been produced with cell lines derived from aborted babies, such as the HEK-293 cell line. One of the touted advantages of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is that it does not require special- ized refrigeration and can be delivered in a single dose, making it more attractive to some healthcare professionals than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Those vaccines require deep freeze storage and are administered in two doses. The Pontifical Academy for Life has said that Cath- olics should advocate for ethically-produced vaccines which do not use cell lines of aborted babies.
Michigan bishops release statement on latest COVID-19 vaccines
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ear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Peace be with you! As vaccines for COVID-19 continue to be- come available, we wish to address the moral questions that have arisen, insofar as some vaccines are developed using cells lines that have originated from the tissue taken from babies who were aborted decades ago.1 Abortion is a grave evil, and we must avoid complicity in abortion. Let us also pray for God's peace, healing, and mercy for all those who have had abortions. It is morally permissible to receive the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Neither of these vaccines have used cell lines originating in tissue taken from aborted babies in their design, development, and production. However, both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccine did use such a cell line in the confir- matory testing. This connection to the abortion is very remote, however, and it is important to keep in mind that there are varying levels of responsibility. Greater moral responsibility lies with the researchers than with those who receive the vaccine. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has indicated that it is morally permissible to be vaccinated if there are no alternatives and there are serious health risks.2 Such serious health risks are present due to the current pandemic. The vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca are more morally problematic, however. They utilized in the design, production, development, and confirmatory testing a cell line that originated from tissue taken from an aborted baby. These vaccines may be received only if there are no other alternatives. If one does not have a choice of vaccine and a delay in im- munization may bring about serious consequences for ones health and the health of others, it would be per- missible to accept the Johnson & Johnson or AstraZen- eca vaccine. Both are somewhat similar in production to the Rubella vaccine, which the Pontifical Academy of Life indicated could be received for grave reasons and if there are no other alternatives. If one were to choose not to be vaccinated, one would have a moral responsibility to embrace the necessary precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others. At this same time, we join our voices to call for the development of vaccines that have no connection to abortion. Our consciences must not be dulled, nor may we imply in any way that abortion is acceptable. Let us implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that God may bring an end to the pandemic and that all esteem and respect the dignity of human life. Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of De- troit; Most Reverend Paul J. Bradley, Bishop of Kalam- azoo; Most Reverend Earl A. Boyea, Bishop of Lansing; Most Reverend John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette; Most Reverend Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw; Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley,, Apostolic Admin- istrator Diocese of Gaylord; Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak Bishop of Grand Rapids 1. For more on the morality of COVID-19 vaccines, see the joint statements of the chairmen of the USC- CB Committee on Doctrine and Pro-Life Activities on which our statement is based: moral-consider- ations-covid-vaccines (usccb.org) https://www.usccb. org/news/2021/us-bishop-chairmen-doctrine-and- pro-life-address-use-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine 2. For more information about specific vaccines being developed for COVID-19 see this reference chart from the Charlotte Lozier Institute: COVID-19-Vaccine-Can- didates-and-Abortion-Derived-Cell-Lines.pdf (lozierin- stitute.org) 3. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, In- struction on Certain Bioethical Questions (Dignitas Personae) (2008), nos. 35- 36: Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions, Congrega- tion for the Doctrine of the Faith (vatican.va)
Prayer for the time of COVID-19: Courtesy of the USCCB
For all who have contracted coronavirus, we pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable, we pray for safety and protection. For all who experience fear or anxiety, we pray for peace of mind and spirit. For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety, we pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance, we pray that no family will face financial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status, we pray for recognition of theGod-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world, we pray for shared solidarity. For public officials and decision-makers, we pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign ofhope, comfort and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord. Amen.
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