ETHICAL QUESTIONS AND THE COVID VACCINES

ETHICAL QUESTIONS AND THE COVID VACCINES

Fr Tim Buckley, CSsR (Parish Priest of Bishop Eton and St Mary’s)

It has come to my attention that some of our parishioners have been disturbed when hearing that it may be morally wrong to receive certain of the vaccines now available for Covid 19. Before going any further I want to state unequivocally that directives both from Rome (with the approval of Pope Francis) and from our own Archbishop, Malcolm McMahon, indicate that CATHOLICS MAY RECEIVE ANY OF THE VACCINES WITHOUT SCRUPLE.

If you wish to read the full text from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith you will find information on our website or by following this link:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-12/vatican-cdf-note-covid-vaccine-morality-abortion.html

Archbishop Malcolm has written to all his priests in the strongest possible terms, advising that while there is no moral obligation on anyone to receive a vaccine, we do have a duty of care to each other to ensure that we keep one another safe and prevent the spread of the virus.

As you may know, the Redemptorists have a long tradition in the field of moral theology and indeed our founder, St Alphonsus, is the patron of moral theologians. We have received guidance from our College in Rome, which emphasises the importance of the common good over and above individual choice: Fr Alfonso V. Amarante, CSsR writes: “For us as believers, vaccinating is a clear choice for the common good, a moral choice dictated by our responsibility towards other men and women. Vaccinating for a believer is a human duty, in the name of social solidarity, and a Christian duty, in charity’s name towards oneself and one’s neighbour.”

Therefore, I personally would urge all our parishioners to receive the vaccine when they are invited to do so. Certainly, every member of the Redemptorist community plans to do so.

Tim, CSsR

Announcement from Fr Tim

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM FR TIM

CLOSURE OF BISHOP ETON AND ST MARY’S WOOLTON

WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME, BUT NOW, IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING CONCERNS REGARDING THE SPREAD OF COVID 19, BOTH CHURCHES WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

I WILL CONTINUE TO RECORD THE WEEKEND MASS AND THIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM EARLY ON SATURDAY EVENING. 

MEANWHILE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER AND HOPE THAT THOSE IN THE VULNERABLE CATEGORIES (WHICH INCLUDES VIRTUALLY EVERYONE IN THE REDEMPTORIST COMMUNITY AT BISHOP ETON) WILL SOON RECEIVE A VACCINE. 

PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

                  Tim Buckley, CSsR (Parish Priest)

PLEASE NOTE

Funerals already booked will go ahead as planned.

Please visit https://pastol.co.uk/  for guidance on the schedules for the other Churches in the Pastoral Area.  It is advisable to check the respective parishes websites for up to date information.