Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila recently received the first of two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood. Due to his age and health risks, his doctor recommended he receive it. Last month, the Colorado bishops said it was morally permissible to to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and Archbishop Aquila encourages the faithful to prayer fully consider being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Read Archbishop Aquila’s full statement below:
“When the COVID-19 vaccine was made available to people 70+ in Colorado, my doctor encouraged me because of my age and health risks to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and recently I was able to receive my first dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the employees of Centura Health and all health care professionals for their work caring for people during this pandemic, and now their efforts to facilitate the distribution of the vaccine.
In December, the Bishops of Colorado affirmed that receiving certain COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable, and I am sharing a picture of my recent vaccination in hopes of encouraging Catholics to prayerfully consider receiving one once they are eligible.
Today, I also want to once again strongly urge all scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to only use ethical means in the development, research, design, and testing of vaccines.
May we continue to rely on Christ for strength and ask him to guide our doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals during this pandemic.”
