After learning that the involvement of stem cells in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is minimal, Bishop Joseph Brennan of Fresno stated that it is ethical to take the vaccine, seeming to modify his statement a few weeks ago when he said he would not take the vaccines.
According to ABC Action News, in a statement released Wednesday, Bishop Brennan said, “Without better alternatives and following serious reflection upon the health risks and needs for oneself, one’s family, and the broader community, Catholics may ethically decide for serious reasons to utilize such vaccines.”
Los Angeles Times reported a few weeks ago that Bishop Brennan urged Catholics not to “jump on the COVID-19 vaccine bandwagon.”
Bishop Brennan explained to the faithful of Fresno in mid-November, “I won’t be able to take a vaccine, I just won’t, brothers and sisters, and I encourage you not to, if it was developed with material derived from stem cells of a baby who was aborted. Or material that was cast off from artificial insemination.”
John Gerardi’s Organization Right to Life Central California and the Diocese of Fresno released a guide for Catholic on Covid-19 vaccines.
The guide states: “Widespread distribution of a successful vaccine would be critical in permitting a ‘return to normalcy’ in American life, allowing the various health restrictions imposed by state and local regulators to be lifted or eased. This is critical to allowing churches, schools, and businesses to fully re-open, lost jobs to be restored, and for a broader economic and social recovery.”
Geraldi said Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines don’t have the Catholic church’s full stamp of approval because stem cells were used in the medical research. Nonetheless, the two vaccines are still the best choice for Catholics when considering a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Those are the best options available because they have the least amount of involvement with cell lines that utilize cells derived from aborted fetuses,” he said.
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