Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Lord Jesus, our Lord and Healer.
In a video message produced last May 2021 aimed at a global audience but directed particularly at the Americas which features six cardinals and archbishops from North, Central and South America, Pope Francis praised the work of researchers and scientists in producing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. The Pope joins those of bishops, and other leaders among the clergy and the laity, urging people to get vaccinated against the COVID-19, noting that these “bring hope to end the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we collaborate with one another”. Indeed, the Holy Father himself has affirmed that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine that is “authorized by the respective authorities” is an “act of love”.
With Pope Francis, we would also like to encourage our brothers and sisters to participate in the BAYANIHAN BAKUNAHAN – National Vaccination Days on November 29, 30 and December 1, 2021 and beyond. We can all take part in this by a) Helping promote COVID-19 vaccination in our communities [with proper, evidenced-based vaccination facts]; b) Encouraging others to avail of the COVID-19 vaccines in designated areas; c) Collaborating with the Local Government Units (LGU) in the use of Church spaces for the vaccination drive; d) Encouraging Church workers to volunteer for vaccination activities in their particular areas.
Following the January 2021 Pastoral Letter of the CBCP Bioethics Office, we would like to stress the need to “recognize that every person should be free to choose whether or not to vaccinate according to their conscience” and thus respect and promote the dignity of the individual conscience as well as the decision of conscientious objection. However, those who choose not to be vaccinated for whatever reason “should be aware of their obligation to protect themselves and others from infection and to protect themselves against the further spread of the virus.” This is everyone’s moral responsibility.
We entrust the National Vaccination Days to the intercession of Our Lady, Health of the Sick, ever our guide and advocate; may her motherly care be felt by those afflicted with illness and disease and her support be experienced by those involved in the ministry to the sick.
As the whole Church reflects on her very own “Synodal Journey” in the next few months, we are also reminded that “A global tragedy such as the COVID-19 pandemic ‘momentarily revived the sense that we are a global community, all in the same boat, where one person’s problems are the problems of all. Once more we realized that no one is saved alone; we can only be saved together” (XVI Gen. Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Preparatory Document [2021], par. 5, citing Pope Francis, Encyclical Fratelli Tutti [May 2020], no. 32).
Sincerely in the Lord,
Most. Rev. Rex C. Ramirez, DD
Chairman, CBCP-ECHC
16 November 2021
