The Catholic Weekly 25 April 2021

$2 At the same time, remote connection with such actions is an important factor when considering our responsibility to the common good and the health of others.” Archbishop Peter A Comensoli AUSTRALIA’S BISHOPS have encouraged Catholics to re- ceive a COVID-19 vaccine saying that it is morally per- missible to accept any of the available choices. In a document published on 20 April, the Bishop’s Commis- sion for Life, Family and Public Engagement acknowledged se- rious concerns among the faith community about “ethically questionable production and research practices” associated with vaccines, including the use of cell lines derived froman aborted baby girl in the 1970s. However, the Commission follows the guidance of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published last December in urging people to be vaccinated against COV- ID-19 for their own health and that of thewider community. In the form of Frequently Asked Questions, the bishops urge governments to conduct its medical research in moral ways, and offer people a choice of options. If possible, Catholics should choose the least morally com- promised vaccine – which in Australia would mean the Pfizer vaccine or, in future, Novavax if it is approved. But if only one option is offered, Catholicsmay receive any “with a clear conscience”. Chair of the Bishops Com- mission Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said that civil and health authorities should “work ethically with respect for every human person from conception until natural death”. “At all times we oppose the de- struction of human life,” Arch- bishopComensoli said. “At the same time, remote connection with such actions is an important factor when considering our responsibility to the common good and the health of others.” The bishops’ advice is that anyone deciding for reasons of conscience to refuse a vac- cine are “morally obliged to do their utmost, by other pro- tective means and appropriate behaviour to avoid contracting COVID-19 themselves and to avoid transmission of the dis- ease”, particularly to those most vulnerable. They also encourage people to consult with their doctor in deciding about vaccines. Last December Archbish- op Anthony Fisher OP, himself a bioethicist, welcomed the Vatican’s statement that in the absence of alternatives, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed using cell lines originating from a human abortion. While ethically-produced vaccines are always to be pre- ferred, “were only the Astra- Zeneca vaccine available, peo- ple could choose to use it in good faith as their connection (today) to the abortion (in the 1970s) that led to the foetal cell- line used in the vaccine is so re- mote”, he said. The bishops’ advice can be found at catholic.org.au/coro- navirus Q&A ON PAGE 2 Bishops back vaccines Answering ethical concerns amid national roll-out, official statement says any option is morally licit ¾ Staff Writers A NOVEL fundraising ap- proach to restore one of the most iconic monuments in the world, Notre Dame Ca- thedral in Paris, enables do- nors to have a piece of his- tory. On 15 April, Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris un- veiled an interactive website (restorenotredame.org) that allows people to donate by adopting or sponsoring piec- es of precious art and artifacts that were damaged in a 2019 fire. Donors can engage with the objects of their choosing and select which they’d like to help restore, whether it is a painting or statue. Funds can also go toward the cathe- dral’s restoration as a whole if the person prefers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 ¾ Deirdre C. Mays Sponsor a gargoyle? Mon Dieu! 25, April, 2021 I’MNOT DEFINED BY ‘GAY’ HOW MAGDA GOT IT SO WRONG P11 P16 Be a Neighbour to those in need Become a Regular Giver Today Call Caritas Australia on 1800 024 413 or visit caritas.org.au/neighbours French President Emmanuel Macron, right, speaks with a worker and General Jean-Louis Georgelin during a visit to the reconstruction site of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on 15 April. PHOTO: CNS/IAN LANGSDON, POOL VIA REUTERS