By Verghese V Joseph –
Bangalore: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has published a document titled “A Catholic Ethical Response to Questions about Covid-19 Vaccines”, which clarifies that all vaccinations recognised as clinically safe and can be effectively used in good conscience, with absolute knowledge that the use of such vaccines does not constitute formal co-operation with the abortion from which the cells used in production of the vaccines derive.
The Church in India urges that every individual must diligently follow current public health preventive guidelines for the Covid-19 pandemic in order to protect oneself and others around them. This is a reflection of the solidarity with others who can be protected by these actions. Stigmatization of individuals who are ill or unvaccinated is harmful to the individual and society, the paper said.
“It is important for individuals to access reliable information from valid sources and disseminate only such information, cognizant that false information is detrimental to efforts to control the pandemic. We must search within ourselves and as institutions, for ways in which we can enhance the collective effort to address the pandemic for the benefit of all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised,” the document published by the CCBI explained.
The document has been prepared by Rev. Dr. Christopher Vimalraj Hiruthya, Coordinator, Bioethics Forum, Visiting Prof: St. Peter’s Institute Bangalore, and DVK Postgraduate Centre, Member of the Ethics Committee: ICMR-NCDIR and St. John’s Medical College and Hospital; Dr. Mario Vaz, Convener, Bioethics Forum, Prof. of Physiology, International Medical School, Bangalore; Dr. Olinda Timms, Anaesthetist, Author of Biomedical Ethics, Adjunct Faculty, Division of Health and Humanities, St. John’s Research Institute; Dr. G. D. Ravindran, Prof of Family Medicine, St. John’s Medical College; Dr. Priya Pais, Associate Professor, Paediatric Nephrology, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore; Dr. Evita Fernandez, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chairperson, Fernandez Foundation, Hyderabad; and Dr. M. J. Vinod, Consultant Physician, Diabetologist, Geriatric Medicine, Bangalore Baptist Hospital.
The resource persons for this document were Rev. Dr. Charles Davis, Corresponding Member, Pontifical Academy of Life; Rev. Dr. Francis Gonsalves, S.J., Executive Secretary CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine; Rev. Dr. Stephen Fernandes, Professor, Pius X College, Mumbai; and Rev. Dr. Stanislaus Alla S J, Prof of Moral Theology, Vidyajyoti College, New Delhi.
This paper aims to provide a broad understanding of the Catholic ethical response to COVID-19 vaccines and answer questions raised by individuals seeking a conscience-driven approach to this intervention. The ethical issues that arise are complex and have mplications for people who might hesitate to take these vaccines. Their apprehensions are based on the use of tissue from aborted foetuses in vaccine research and production, which is against Catholic doctrine and moral teaching. The issue of social justice in access and distribution of the vaccine is another concern. Vaccine hesitancy (apprehensions or reluctance to be vaccinated) can run counter to the public health imperative of COVID-19 vaccine programmes and can mitigate the overall benefit. This paper does not discuss the efficacy or demerits of each individual vaccine.
The paper advocates that those who take the available vaccines have only a ‘remote’ and ‘passive’ cooperation with the use of cell lines from aborted human foetuses, and with the development, production and testing of these vaccines. The vaccines do not contain foetal cells. Because of the moral distance from the evil act, these vaccinations are not immoral. Thus, Catholics can receive
these vaccines in good conscience. Due to the serious nature of the disease, and deaths involving vulnerable groups, vaccination can also contribute to the control of the pandemic and the common good.
To read the full document. you can download by clicking the link below.