Grace Thompson
There is a perception that Catholics tend to be anti-vaxxers, with some Catholics expressing concern about vaccines that use aborted foetal cells. However, there is no indication that anti-vax sentiment is specifically Catholic. The Catholic Church is not opposed to medicine or vaccinations, and Catholic theology does not suggest that followers should reject modern medicine. While some Catholics are anti-vax, this is likely influenced more by political views or the information they consume online than by their religious beliefs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious anti-vaxxers in Connecticut | Three mothers of different faiths (Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim) |
| Religious reasons for anti-vaxxing | Religious beliefs |
| Catholic Church's stance on vaccination | The Catholic Church has given specific teachings on the use of vaccines, including those produced with and/or developed using cell lines derived from aborted fetal tissue |
| Catholic Church's stance on COVID-19 vaccination | The Catholic Church encourages the use of vaccines with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines, such as Pfizer or Moderna over Johnson & Johnson |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic bishops' statements on COVID-19 vaccines
Several Catholic bishops have released statements regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, addressing the moral questions that have arisen due to some vaccines' connection to abortion.
Michigan Bishops
The Michigan Catholic Conference issued a statement regarding the moral considerations of the COVID-19 vaccines. The bishops wrote that "it is morally permissible to receive the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna", especially considering the serious health risks posed by the pandemic. They reaffirmed the Catholic responsibility to advocate for vaccines with no ties to abortion and acknowledged the gravity of abortion as an evil that must be avoided.
California Bishops
The California Catholic Conference, along with Catholic healthcare systems and Catholic Charities, affirmed that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are morally acceptable. They committed to promoting and encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations within their communities. The statement emphasised the vaccines' potential to foster the common good and prioritised vulnerable populations in their distribution and allocation.
National Catholic Register
The National Catholic Register reported on the disputes and confusion surrounding the FDA's emergency approval of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine among Church authorities, scholars, and activists. It also highlighted the varying diocesan statements and the nuanced Catholic perspective on vaccine ethics, which considers factors such as informed consent, efficacy, and potential side effects.
Connecticut Case
In Connecticut, a lawsuit was filed by three mothers of different faiths, including a Catholic woman, who opposed mandatory school vaccinations for their children on religious grounds. The case brought up questions about the intersection of religious freedom and public health mandates during a pandemic.
While these statements provide guidance and perspective, they also highlight the diversity of opinions and the complexity of the issue within the Catholic Church. The Church's official statements aim to establish that receiving the vaccines is not intrinsically evil, but they have been met with mixed reactions and interpretations.
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Catholics' concerns about abortion-derived cell lines
The Catholic Church's stance on abortion is clear and unwavering: it is gravely wrong at every stage. The Church affirms that human life must be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception, and thus, direct abortion is always considered a grave moral disorder and a serious immoral act.
However, the use of abortion-derived cell lines in the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines has sparked ethical concerns among some Catholics. The Archdiocese of New Orleans, guided by the Vatican, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and The National Catholic Bioethics Center, asserted that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines do not rely on cell lines from abortions in their manufacturing process. Hence, they are deemed morally acceptable for Catholics as the connection to abortion is extremely remote.
On the other hand, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been a subject of debate due to its use of abortion-derived cell lines in development, production, and testing. The Archdiocese of New Orleans labeled it as "morally compromised." This stance is supported by various Catholic and Christian medical associations, who expressed concern about the standard use of abortion-derived fetal cell lines by companies like Johnson & Johnson.
Despite these concerns, the Vatican and US Catholic bishops have provided guidance. They stated that when no "ethically irreproachable" alternatives are available, it is morally acceptable to receive vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production. This position considers the grave danger posed by COVID-19 and emphasizes that taking such a vaccine does not equate to endorsing abortion.
While some Catholics opt for vaccines without abortion-derived cell lines when possible, others prioritize public health and accept whichever vaccine is available, weighing the greater good and the remote connection to abortion in their decision-making.
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Catholic teachings on vaccination
Catholicism, like most religions, respects life as a basic value and therefore opposes the use of vaccines derived from aborted human fetuses. However, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has affirmed that it is permissible for Catholics to use such vaccines if there is no alternative available. This stance is based on the belief that "life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God" and that we must take reasonable care of them, considering the needs of others and the common good.
The Catholic Church has long supported science, medicine, and biomedical research that serves the good of humanity, and the use of vaccines for centuries as a crucial means of protecting health. The Church provides guidance on appropriate respect for persons while building up the common good. Catholic Health World Associate Editor Lisa Eisenhauer consulted with a professor of healthcare ethics, who advised that the recommendations to prioritize frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff at long-term care centers for the COVID-19 vaccine made sense from a Catholic perspective, focusing on the common good and the preferential options for vulnerable persons.
The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) provides education, guidance, and resources to help Catholics make sound ethical decisions about how best to protect their own life and health, drawing on the Church's teachings on conscience, charity, and the dignity of the human person. The NCBC has noted with sadness the increasing anger and violence associated with vaccine mandate debates, urging Catholics to transform frustration into charity and understanding for others.
While some Catholic individuals and groups have objected to vaccines on religious grounds, there is no inherent contradiction between Catholicism and vaccination. The Church's teachings emphasize the virtue of solidarity and support for the vulnerable, which aligns with the goal of vaccination to protect the health and well-being of communities.
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Catholic anti-vaxxers' social media misinformation
While there is no evidence of Catholic anti-vaxxer misinformation campaigns on social media, there are instances of Catholics refusing vaccines for religious reasons. In 2021, three mothers, one of whom was Catholic, filed a lawsuit claiming that a law eliminating the faith exemption for school vaccinations violated their constitutional rights.
Historically, some Catholics have refused vaccines due to their connection with cell lines derived from aborted fetal tissue. The Catholic Church has given specific teachings on the use of such vaccines, and in 2019, Sanofi Pasteur announced that they would no longer be using fetal cell lines for the Pentacel and Quadracel vaccines.
In the case of COVID-19 vaccines, a group of bishops in leadership positions within the USCCB published a statement in March 2020 recommending that individuals choose the vaccine with the least connection to abortion-derived cell lines, specifically Pfizer or Moderna over Johnson & Johnson. However, other bishops have emphasized that all available COVID-19 vaccines may be used in good conscience, and a corresponding member of the Pontifical Academy for Life published a personal statement that all vaccines are morally acceptable.
While some Catholics may have religious objections to certain vaccines, it is important to note that anti-vaxxer arguments are often based on conspiracy theories and anecdotal evidence rather than scientific reasoning.
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Catholic anti-vaxxers' lawsuits
In 2021, a Catholic mother was one of three mothers—Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim—who filed a lawsuit against Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's bill eliminating the state's religious exemption for mandatory school vaccinations. The mothers claimed that the law violated their constitutional rights as they refused to have their children vaccinated for religious reasons. This lawsuit came just three days after the bill was signed into law.
Long-standing Supreme Court precedents suggest that mandatory vaccination laws are constitutional and in the interest of public health. In 1905, Jacobson v. Massachusetts upheld a state law that empowered municipalities to mandate vaccinations. Justice John Marshall Harlan, writing for the 7-2 majority, declared that "a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic of disease which threatens the safety of its members". Acting Justice Denise Hartman, in a similar case in New York, wrote that "public health concerns should prevail" and that "the fact that the Legislature enacted the repeal without public hearings and debate does not suggest religious animus".
However, some argue that a law's neutrality and general applicability can be called into question, especially in light of the court's recent pronouncements on in-person worship during COVID-19. While there is a necessary and sufficient issue with the papacy, some Catholics may not accept every tenet laid down by the Pope. In such cases, individuals cannot act like their rejection of the vaccine is related to their faith.
There have been other instances of Catholic anti-vaxxers, such as former Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich, who was fired for refusing to get the vaccine despite being given the opportunity to do so before the deadline. Rolovich's attorney plans to take legal action against the school.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no inherent anti-vaccination sentiment in Catholic theology. However, some Catholics may be influenced by political views or other sources of information to become anti-vaxxers.
Some Catholics may have concerns about vaccines that are developed using aborted fetal cells or cell lines derived from aborted fetuses. However, it is important to note that the babies were not aborted for the purpose of vaccine creation, but rather already aborted fetuses were used for scientific experimentation.
The Catholic Church is not opposed to vaccinations and encourages its members to get vaccinated. The Church values life, and getting vaccinated can be seen as an extension of this value, as it helps prevent the spread of diseases and saves lives.
