“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.”
-USCCB, Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued statements regarding the new COVID-19 vaccines. The bishop Chairmen for the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Committee on Doctrine address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.
The bishops have concluded that the gravity of the pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines are sufficiently serious reasons as to justify the use of the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. However, the vaccines produced by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson should be avoided if there are alternatives available.
- Archbishop Broglio’s statement on Coronavirus Vaccines and the Sanctity of Conscience – 12 OCT 2021
- Archbishop Broglio’s statement on the vaccines – 14 MAR 2021
- Read USCCB statement regarding the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson.
- Read initial USCCB statement regarding the vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca.
- Answers to Key Ethical Questions About COVID-19 Vaccine – resource from the USCCB.
- Moral Guidance on Vaccines – resources from the USCCB.
