By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The social media is abuzz with the approved vaccines now made available for COVID-19. However, uppermost on the minds of many Catholics would be the moral and ethical issues of being vaccinated.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) issued a Pastoral Letter on COVID-19 vaccines and immunisation, together with a list of FAQs based on Vatican documents, to the Catholic community on 4 February 2021.
The Catholic position is that vaccination is a moral good and the moral principle with regard to vaccinations is that it “depends not only on the duty to protect one’s own health, but also on the duty to pursue the common good.”
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh has communicated with the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) and the National Unity Ministry (KPN) that the “Malaysian Catholic Church stands in solidarity with all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addressing Catholics, the Archbishop says “everyone has to unite for the common good and wellbeing of all in our nation.” He explains that the Sarawak vaccination programme is aimed at achieving herd immunity when 70-80% of the people are vaccinated.
He assures Catholics that there are “no ethical or moral issues on the derivation of the current approved vaccines in light of the Church’s moral teaching.” He supports the inclusive immunisation plan of the Sarawak government to offer the COVID-19 vaccination to all locals, as well as people from other states and foreigners residing in Sarawak.
Archbishop Simon Poh suggests Catholics make an informed decision based on one’s own conscience by considering their personal health risk status and medical condition(s); study/research reputable medical publications and websites on the types of vaccines, statistics of those vaccinated, trial results, efficacy, side effects, et cetera.
The choice to receive or not receive the vaccine is personal. In the mean time, they are to comply with public safety SOP – wear mask, maintain 1-meter social distance, minimise points of contact, and reduce unnecessary trips.
Archbishop Simon Poh is also the Chairman of the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS). In consultation with the Heads of the Churches on 23 February, they in principle, support the vaccination to help contain COVID-19 in Sarawak and Malaysia.
“ACS does not endorse any specific vaccine for the people and will leave the choice of vaccines for the medical professional to administer and to ensure safety and proven effectiveness based on research and scientific evidence,” he pointed out.
He encourages all Catholics, Christians, friends and people of goodwill in Sarawak, to always consider the common good for all peoples. The prelate said: “Let us speak as ‘WE’ (not ‘I’) as we have gone through this pandemic together since the MCO in March 2020.
“While we put aside differences from our diverse backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and social status, let us never allow politics or politicians to divide our common mission to overcome COVID-19. May we stand together as a family for the common good of all.”
Archbishop Simon Poh, together with Archbishops Emeriti Peter Chung and John Ha, Bishop Richard Ng, and over 30 priests and religious in the Archdiocese of Kuching, have registered for the vaccinations. Other Heads of Churches in Sarawak are also willing to take the lead to accept being vaccinated.
“We have made this decision in consideration of the common good of our people as part of our pastoral and social responsibility in the nation,” the Archbishop said.
Related posts: CBCM: Pastoral letter on COVID-19, Vaccines and Immunisation ; The Catholic Position on COVID-19 Vaccines
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