In two statements, the first on December 8, 2020, and the second on March 2, 2021, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo addressed the moral permissibility of several COVID-19 vaccines.
Published December 8, 2020
By Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
On December 2nd, Governor Abbott announced that the federal government will be distributing an initial allotment of approximately 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Texas during the month of December. These vaccines will be administered by qualifying providers throughout the state.
Some individuals and groups are publicly asserting that if a vaccine is connected in any way with tainted cell lines then it is immoral to be vaccinated with it. This is an inaccurate presentation of Catholic moral doctrine and I would like to offer some clarifications regarding the moral permissibility of using the COVID-19 vaccines developed by the companies Pfizer and Moderna.
Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine involved the use of cell lines that originated in tissue taken from the body of an aborted baby at any level of design, development, or production. However, these vaccines are not completely free from any connection to abortion, as both Pfizer and Moderna made use of a tainted cell line for one of the confirmatory lab tests of their products. There is thus a connection, but it is relatively remote and should not be the basis for refusing to receive the vaccine.
A third possible vaccine, this one produced by AstaZeneca, is morally concerning because of its origin. However, according to Catholic moral teaching, it is also acceptable to receive it for the sake of our own health and the health of others if it is the only vaccine available in a given place.
It is morally permissible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines which will be availaable for distribution in Texas beginning this month.
On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary we unite ourselves more closely to the intercession of the Mother of God as we pray for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic. Please be assured of my continue prayers for the clergy and lay faithful of the Church in Galveston-Houston.
STATEMENT FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
REGARDING TO JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE
Published March 2, 2021
The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for COVID-19 do not involve abortion-derived cell lines in the manufacturing process, and are morally permissible since the connection to abortion is remote.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is morally compromised because an abortion-derived cell line was used in its development, testing and production. However, according to Catholic moral teaching, it is permissible to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it is the only vaccine available in a given place. Where there is an option, Catholics should choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The decision to receive a vaccination for COVID-19 is one of personal conscience.
Further Reading: U.S. Bishops Conference Statement on the Use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine.