Chaplain’s Corner by Rev. Fr. Kenneth Chukwu

Dear Brother Knights and Sr. Columbiettes,

This Month of May, I would like to share with you this below communication from the LA Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Department in response to five questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. I hope that these answers will be helpful to everyone who may be seeking some moral clarifications about the COVID-19 Vaccine. Wishing you many blessings during this Month of May-the month of our Marian Devotions.

What does the Church say about the COVID-19 vaccine?

The congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Vatican), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the California Catholic Conference (CCC) have stated that it is morally acceptable to use the COVID-19 vaccines.

Is there a moral obligation to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccination is voluntary. From an ethics point of view, the morality of vaccination depends not only on the duty to protect one’s own health, but also on our moral responsibility for the common good. In the absence of other means to stop or even prevent the epidemic, the common good recommends vaccination, especially to protect the most vulnerable in our society. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor.

Is it true that there is a connection between some vaccines and abortion?

There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States by the U.S Food and Drug Administration: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The cell lines used at various stages of development, production, and testing by these three drug companies originated from the embryonic cells of an unborn child following an abortion that took place several decades ago. These cell lines have been used for decades in the production of many pharmaceuticals in common use. (The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, was developed, tested and is produced with abortion-derived cell lines raising additional moral concerns. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged that ‘when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.

However, if one can choose among equally safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines should be chosen. Therefore, if one has the ability to choose a vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccines should be chosen over Johnson & Johnson’s). See Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “Note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines” (17 Dec 2020), no. 2.

Is it morally acceptable to receive the COVID-19 vaccines?

If it were possible to choose among a variety of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccine with least connection to abortion-derived fetal cell lines should be chosen. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has currently approved the use of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Taking into consideration the gravity of the current pandemic, particularly here in Southern California, and that there are currently no alternative vaccines available in the U.S., it is morally acceptable to use these vaccines despite their remote connection to abortion-derived cell lines. Individuals can receive the vaccines in good conscience with certain knowledge that the use of such vaccines does not condone abortion nor promote future abortions.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?

The Church and her leaders are not and do not claim to be authorities on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. Such evaluation is the responsibility of biomedical researchers and drug agencies. People should rely on information from authoritative sources in the field of medicine and public health, such as the Food and Drug Administration and qualified health care professionals. The FDA affirms that the vaccines authorized for emergency use in the U.S have met all the safety and efficacy standards required for such authorization.

For more information and resources, visit:

https://lacatholics.org/oljpcovid19information/