I was very interested to read Alan Yoshioka’s Sept. 6 article “Conscience rights don’t stand alone” regarding exercising one’s conscience. To me in this COVID era Catholics using “the common good” could bypass being complicit with abortion-tainted vaccines. The evil has not been removed by this dispensation, and the recognition of this truth requires revisiting in order to balance the dispensation against still being complicit.
There is more to include in conscience formation here. Prior to the ever-increasing panic critical care doctors had begun early treatment of the serious symptoms of COVID-19 with high success and avoidance of hospitalization.
We are perfectly able to accept that vaccines would eventually appear but not in such haste while they are still new and experimental. At the same time, the treatment of early COVID symptoms has been downplayed and even censored. Where is the “common good” when deprived of early intervention?
With the side-effects of the current vaccines, one can in good conscience refuse to risk one’s health and family future and wait for a safer set of vaccines that are on the assembly line and not using fetal cells.
Yoshioka rightly mentioned numerous other drugs not connected to fetal cell lines. It is then one’s duty to research if one is concerned with conscience formation. There are websites which have already done the ground research. An example is the shingles vaccine. Of those in use, Shingrix is morally acceptable. The more we demand that drug companies stop using old cell lines and put acceptable ones into production, the better.
Archbishop Miller last year was encouraging an ethical Canadian vaccine based on UBC research, Eyam COVID-19. Hopefully we can choose in good conscience soon.
Cecilia von Dehn, Ret. RN SCM
Vancouver
How very odd it is to see so many Catholics writing letters that denigrate Pope Francis’ enthusiastic endorsement of vaccination against COVID-19. His endorsement is based on input from the world’s top scientists and medical personnel, and he’s spoken after profound prayer and reflection with the utmost respect for truth and charity. His statements aren’t made lightly. He’s the Pope and carries the weight of moral responsibility that comes with that.
I as a Catholic pay great attention to the Pope’s opinion (even when he’s not speaking infallibly) and am delighted that he’s spoken so forthrightly on the responsibility that we all have to take vaccination seriously.
Alice Lessard
Surrey
An Oct. 4 letter writer noted that when it comes to vaccinations, our Holy Father is not a medical practitioner. You do not have to be a chicken to know about the nutritional values of eggs. He is just offering some common sense advice. Vaccines have saved millions lives from the certain death that pernicious viruses have inflicted upon the human race for some time. This pandemic is still killing its victims. If you wish to find out about the safety of these vaccines, do not ask Alexa; ask your doctor first and then make up your mind about either vaccinated.
John Bueno
North Vancouver
This is just a note of encouragement and thankfulness for your newspaper and personnel working at The B.C. Catholic. In reading the very strong positions expressed in letters in your Sept. 27 edition, I’ve come to appreciate the delicate nature of your tasks. That is, there are diametrically opposed viewpoints held by Catholics regarding COVID, and your efforts to present both perspectives will always garner criticism (from those in the opposite camp).
In the past I have sent a few letters critical of content in your newspaper, but in seeing this week’s sampling of (opposing) letters I have gained a greater appreciation of the balancing act you must perform. Can I just encourage you to continue presenting both sides and not to succumb to criticisms from either camp. Not a pretty situation but I think you’ve been doing a good job and I will make more of a concerted effort to temper any of my future letters.
Mario Tancredi
North Vancouver
