Bishop Zubik on COVID-19 Vaccine

The following is a statement from Bishop Zubik to clergy members clarifying the Church's position with COVID-19 vaccines.

Dear brothers,

Over the course of the last 24 hours, much attention has been given to the moral acceptability of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.  I want to make sure you know that contrary to media reports, the Diocese of Pittsburgh did not previously issue a statement on this matter.  Multiple news reports have been inaccurate, indicating that the Diocese of Pittsburgh has cautioned parishioners to refuse the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. This is simply not true.  We hope this clarification in the attached Pennsylvania Catholic Conference statement is helpful.

When people have no choice about which COVID vaccine to receive, it is morally acceptable to receive any vaccine they are offered. This is based on the December 2020 guidance from the Vatican, stating that “when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.”

The position of some bishops in Pennsylvania has been inaccurately reported in some news media, resulting in confusion among Catholics and the public.

Our position has never changed, nor has that of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which said, “While we should continue to insist that pharmaceutical companies stop using abortion-derived cell lines, given the world-wide suffering that this pandemic is causing, we affirm again that being vaccinated can be an act of charity that serves the common good.”

In essence, we recognize that at this time individuals are not given a choice of which vaccine to receive and that this should not prevent Catholics from getting vaccinated as soon as possible.  Catholics may in good conscience, receive any vaccine, in order to protect themselves.  Once again, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.

Grateful for our continued efforts together in being On Mission for The Church Alive!, and for our belief that “Nothing is Impossible with God,” I am.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bishop of Pittsburgh