The Catholic bishops of Iowa have released a statement on COVID-19 vaccines, explaining that “people may in good conscience use the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna, which made only limited use of those unethical cell lines (for lab testing of the vaccine). Morally speaking, the vaccine offered by these two companies is relatively remote from the evil of abortion, and so need not trouble anyone’s conscience to use either one.”
The bishops also said that the common good of public health “takes precedence over any reservation about being treated with vaccines; they will not be effective if people do not use them.” Here’s a link to the full statement.
COVID-19 ACTION ALERT
It has been nearly eight months since Congress passed a COVID-19 aid package. Much of the aid from that legislation has already expired and more will stop at the end of this year. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Congress must act quickly to pass a new COVID-19 relief package that addresses the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Failure to act would leave millions struggling to pay rent, buy food, afford healthcare, maintain employment, and meet their basic human needs.
You are asked to contact your members of Congress and encourage them to pass the relief legislation. Here’s a link with more information and a sample message: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/Campaigns/78427/Respond.
STATEHOUSE NEWS
Republicans picked up six seats in the Iowa House for a 59-41 majority and maintained their 32-16 advantage in the Iowa Senate.
The Iowa Catholic Conference has approved its 2021 legislative agenda. Some of the carryovers include a constitutional amendment proposal on abortion, school choice and fighting racism. An addition is supporting legislation to protect the economic and physical security of workers in light of the pandemic.
U.S. BISHOP CHAIRMEN RENEW CALL TO STOP EXECUTIONS
In the wake of more federal executions, two bishop chairmen have issued a statement calling on the Administration to act as a witness to the dignity of all human life. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement, in part:
“The death penalty is not necessary to protect society. It is not necessary to hold people accountable for grave crimes. The decision not to execute someone, even someone who has done something terrible, is not ‘soft on crime’; rather, it is strong on the dignity of life … We ask President Trump and Attorney General Barr, as an act of witness to the dignity of all human life: stop these executions.”
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Our commitment to the common good does not start or end with voting. We can start solving problems at the local level by organizing with others on issues. The legislative session is set to begin next month. Sign up for our action alerts by texting the word “IOWACATHOLIC” TO 50457.