{"id":25574,"date":"2021-01-15T13:56:59","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T18:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/holyfamilysparta-org.azurewebsites.net\/?p=25574"},"modified":"2021-01-15T14:18:13","modified_gmt":"2021-01-15T19:18:13","slug":"mi-bishops-statement-on-covid-19-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/?p=25574","title":{"rendered":"MI Bishops’ Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Printable Bishops’ letter (English)\u00a0HERE<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish) HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

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December 18, 2020<\/p>\n

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,<\/p>\n

Peace be with you!<\/p>\n

In these Advent days of preparation for the coming of our Lord, we hope and pray that the Prince of Peace may console you and draw you to himself. Over this past year the struggles with the global COVID-19 pandemic have weighed heavily on our hearts, yet our Lord has been with us to deepen our faith and trust in him. Know of our prayers for you and for all health care workers who are so diligently caring for those who are ill.<\/p>\n

As vaccines for COVID-19 are now becoming 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)<\/strong>\u00a0Abortion is a grave evil, and we must avoid complicity in abortion. Let us also pray for God\u2019s peace, healing, and mercy for all those who have had abortions.<\/p>\n

At the time of this writing, the Food and Drug Administration has given approval for the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer. Two other vaccines, one developed by Moderna and the other developed by AstraZeneca, might also gain FDA approval.(2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 confirmatory 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.(3)<\/strong>\u00a0Such serious health risks are present due to the current pandemic.<\/p>\n

The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca is more morally problematic, however. It did utilize in the design, production, development, and confirmatory testing a cell line that originated from tissue taken from an aborted baby. This vaccine may be received only if there are no other alternatives. If one does not have a choice of vaccine and a delay in immunization may bring about serious consequences for one\u2019s health and the health of others, it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine. It is 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.(4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit<\/em>
\nMost Rev. Paul J. Bradley, Bishop of Kalamazoo<\/em>
\nMost Rev. Earl A. Boyea, Bishop of Lansing<\/em>
\nMost Rev. John F. Doerfler, Bishop of Marquette<\/em>
\nMost Rev. Robert D. Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw<\/em>
\nMost Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Gaylord<\/em>
\nMost Rev. David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of Grand Rapids<\/em><\/p>\n

1<\/strong>\u00a0For more on the morality of COVID-19 vaccines, see the joint statement of the chairmen of the USCCB Committee on Doctrine and Pro-Life Activities on which our statement is based:\u00a0moral-considerations-covid-vaccines<\/a>\u00a0(usccb.org)
\n2<\/strong>\u00a0For more information about specific vaccines being developed for COVID-19 see this reference chart from the Charlotte Lozier Institute:\u00a0COVID-19-Vaccine-Candidates-and-Abortion-Derived-Cell-Lines.pdf<\/a>\u00a0(lozierinstitute.org)
\n3<\/strong>\u00a0Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Certain Bioethical Questions (Dignitas Personae) (2008), nos. 35-36:\u00a0Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith<\/a>\u00a0(vatican.va)
\n4<\/strong>\u00a0Pontifical Academy for Life, \u201c\u201dMoral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Foetuses,\u201d (9 June 2005) in National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 6:3 (2006): 541-49<\/p>\n

Declaraci\u00f3n en espa\u00f1ol:<\/h4>\n

18 de diciembre de 2020<\/p>\n

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo:<\/p>\n

\u00a1La paz sea con ustedes!<\/p>\n

En estos d\u00edas de Adviento de preparaci\u00f3n para la venida de nuestro Se\u00f1or, esperamos y oramos para que el Pr\u00edncipe de la Paz los consuele y los acerque hac\u00eda \u00e9l. Durante el presente a\u00f1o las luchas con la pandemia global del COVID-19 han pesado gravemente en nuestros corazones, sin embargo, nuestro Se\u00f1or ha estado con nosotros para profundizar nuestra fe y confianza en \u00e9l. Conoce de nuestras oraciones por ti y por todos los trabajadores de la salud que tan diligentemente cuidan de quienes est\u00e1n enfermos.<\/p>\n

A medida que las vacunas para el COVID-19 empiezan a estar disponibles, queremos hablar de las cuestiones morales que han ido surgiendo, en la medida en que algunas vacunas se desarrollan usando l\u00edneas de c\u00e9lulas que se han originado a partir del tejido tomado de beb\u00e9s que fueron abortados hace d\u00e9cadas.(1)<\/strong>\u00a0El aborto es un mal grave, y debemos evitar la complicidad en el aborto. Oremos por la paz, la sanaci\u00f3n y la misericordia de Dios por todas aquellas personas que han abortado.<\/p>\n

En el momento de escribir este comunicado, la Administraci\u00f3n de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA) ha dado su aprobaci\u00f3n para el uso de emergencia de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 que desarroll\u00f3 la compa\u00f1\u00eda Pfizer. Dos otras vacunas, una desarrollada por la compa\u00f1\u00eda Moderna y la otra por la compa\u00f1\u00eda AstraZeneca, tambi\u00e9n podr\u00edan obtener la aprobaci\u00f3n de la FDA.(2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Est\u00e1 moralmente permitido recibir las vacunas desarrolladas por Pfizer y Moderna. Ninguna de esas vacunas ha usado en su dise\u00f1o, desarrollo o producci\u00f3n l\u00edneas celulares originadas en tejidos tomados de beb\u00e9s abortados. Sin embargo, tanto la vacuna de Pfizer como la de Moderna usaron esa l\u00ednea celular en las pruebas de confirmaci\u00f3n. No obstante, esta conexi\u00f3n con el aborto es muy remota, y es importante tener en cuenta que hay varios niveles de responsabilidad. Una mayor responsabilidad moral recae en los investigadores que en quienes reciben la vacuna. La Congregaci\u00f3n para la Doctrina de la Fe ha expresado que es moralmente permisible ser vacunado si no hay alternativas y hay serios riesgos para la salud.(3)<\/strong>\u00a0Esos riesgos graves para la salud est\u00e1n presentes debido a la actual pandemia.<\/p>\n

Sin embargo, la vacuna desarrollada por AstraZeneca es m\u00e1s problem\u00e1tica desde el punto de vista moral, pues en su dise\u00f1o, producci\u00f3n, desarrollo y pruebas de confirmaci\u00f3n s\u00ed us\u00f3 una l\u00ednea celular que se origin\u00f3 a partir de tejido tomado de un beb\u00e9 abortado. Esta vacuna s\u00f3lo puede recibirse si no hay otras alternativas. Se permitir\u00eda aceptar la vacuna de AstraZeneca solo si uno no puede elegir otra vacuna y un retraso en la vacunaci\u00f3n puede ocasionar consecuencias graves para la salud de uno mismo y de los dem\u00e1s. Su producci\u00f3n es algo similar a la vacuna contra la rub\u00e9ola, que la Academia Pontificia para la Vida indic\u00f3 que podr\u00eda recibirse por razones graves y si no hay otras alternativas.(4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Si uno decidiera no vacunarse, tendr\u00eda la responsabilidad moral de adoptar las precauciones necesarias para evitar la propagaci\u00f3n de la enfermedad a otros.<\/p>\n

Al mismo tiempo, unimos nuestras voces para pedir el desarrollo de vacunas que no tengan conexi\u00f3n con el aborto. Nuestras conciencias no deben entorpecerse, ni por ninguna manera debemos insinuar que el aborto es aceptable.<\/p>\n

Imploremos la intercesi\u00f3n de la Bienaventurada Virgen Mar\u00eda, para que Dios ponga fin a la pandemia y que todos estimen y respeten la dignidad de la vida humana.<\/p>\n

Excelent\u00edsimo Allen H. Vigneron, Arzobispo de Detroit<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo Paul J. Bradley, Obispo de Kalamazoo<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo Earl A. Boyea, Obispo de Lansing<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo John F. Doerfler, Obispo de Marquette<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo Robert D. Gruss, Obispo de Saginaw<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo Walter A. Hurley, Administrador Apost\u00f3lico, Di\u00f3cesis de Gaylord<\/em>
\nExcelent\u00edsimo David J. Walkowiak, Obispo de Grand Rapids<\/em><\/p>\n

1<\/strong>\u00a0Para m\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n acerca de la moralidad de la vacunas en contra del COVID-19, v\u00e9ase la declaraci\u00f3n conjunta de los presidentes del Comit\u00e9 de Doctrina y Actividades Pro-Vida de la Conferencia de Obispos Cat\u00f3licos Estadounidenses (USCCB) en la qe se basa nuestra declaraci\u00f3n:\u00a0moral-considerations-covid-vaccines<\/a>\u00a0(usccb.org)
\n2<\/strong>\u00a0Para m\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n acerca de las vacunas espec\u00edficas que se est\u00e1n desarrollando para el COVID-19 vea esta tabla de referencia de Charlotte Lozier Insitute:\u00a0COVID-19-Vaccine-Candidates-and-Abortion-Derived-Cell-Lines.pdf<\/a>\u00a0(lozierinstitute.org)
\n3<\/strong>\u00a0Congregaci\u00f3n para la Doctrina de la Fe, Instrucci\u00f3n sobre algunas cuestiones de bio\u00e9tica (Dignitas Personae) (2008), n\u00fams. 35-36:\u00a0Instruction Dignitas Personae on Certain Bioethical Questions, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith<\/a>\u00a0(vatican.va)
\n4<\/strong>\u00a0Pontificia Academia para la Vida, \u201cMoral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Foetuses,\u201d (9 de junio de 2005) en National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly 6:3 (2006): 541-49<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Printable Bishops’ letter (English)\u00a0HERE\u00a0 \u00a0(Spanish) HERE         December 18, 2020 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Peace be with you! In these Advent days of preparation for the coming of our Lord, we hope and pray that the Prince of Peace may console you and draw you to himself. Over this past […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25574"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25574"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25644,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25574\/revisions\/25644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.holyfamilysparta.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}