RELIGION AND VACCINATION Vatican’s advice holds weight
The article by Dr Paschal Corby on conscientious objection to vaccination against Covid-19 (September 13) is inadequate in some respects and wrong in another.
It is inadequate in not mentioning the Vatican’s advice that “all vaccines recognised as clinically safe and effective can be used in good conscience” (December 21, 2020). Any Catholic must give full weight to that advice. If a member of the clergy persists with a claim of conscientious objection, then the state government is not proposing to coerce him to receive the jab.
There is no analogy with forcing a youngster to have a blood transfusion despite a conscientious objection based on religious grounds.
Such a member of the clergy would simply lose the privilege of voluntarily entering an aged care home or hospital to give pastoral care. That should certainly weigh on his conscience.
It is wrong to say that “religious freedom in Australia is protected by both section 116 of the Constitution and the common law”. Section 116 does not apply to state governments or parliaments. As Minister for Justice, I campaigned in 1988 for a referendum to apply s. 116 to the States. This was defeated with several prominent Catholic bishops opposing the proposal.
Perhaps Dr Corby and his grandly titled “Catholic Medical Association of Australia” should redirect their political energies to resurrecting that referendum.
Michael Tate Battery Point
PRIEST’S MOVE DISAPPOINTING
It is a regrettable that Melbourne-based Franciscan priest and ethicist, Dr Paschal Corby, has turned his back on Pope Francis’ positive directives and teachings on Covid vaccinations. I have conscientious objections to people who
sow moral discord in a vital health area that negatively impacts on the lives of so many people. Even in the animal kingdom, St Francis of Assisi would today ensure that his dog follows a vaccination schedule so that it could interact safely with other canines.
Ed Sianski West Moonah
ARGUMENT DOESN’T STACK UP
REGARDING Patricia Hamer’s letter published 17 September, her generalisation that clergy are seeking to visit the vulnerable unvaccinated does not stack up. First, most Catholic clergy have
been vaccinated. Second, as I understand, it was only Archbishop Julian who sought that exemption. Third, the archbishop’s initiative was unilateral and made without reference to the laity or the clergy.
Our Archbishop is entitled to remind us that no one should be compelled to be vaccinated.
As Patricia rightly indicates, the issue is an unvaccinated priest visiting the vulnerable and elderly. While our human dignity gives each of us the right to conscientiously object, the Catholic Church teaches that, as members of society, we also have responsibilities to seek the common good and show solidarity with the vulnerable. Most clergy I know are endeavouring to do just that.
Unbeknown to clergy and laity, our Archbishop has chosen to place emphasis on the rights of individual priests rather than focusing on the common good and solidarity with the weak and vulnerable as Pope Francis and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference have done.
Our priests have been put in the invidious position of having to decide whether to show solidarity with the weak and vulnerable as Pope Francis and broader Catholic community or defend their Bishop’s focus on the rights of priests to visit the weak and vulnerable and put those people at risk.
Kim Chen Concerned Catholics Tasmania
OBJECTORS MISSING THE MARK
I’VE been sitting back taking in the debate over conscientious objectors within the Catholic clergy to be vaccinated against Covid 19.
Holy Smoke, surely if these misguided individuals take that path they should be refused entry into institutions where they may expose the vulnerable and elderly residents to greater health risk. This would also put more strain on clergy who have chosen to be vaccinated as they would have to take up the mantle of providing extra pastoral support to those in care. Maybe the objectors think sprinkling themselves with a little holy water might make them immune to Covid or by some miracle they won’t infect people.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, even the Pope supports vaccination. Doesn’t it say in the scriptures that God helps those who help themselves!
Get vaccinated and you may get a little more assistance from upstairs!
John Holley West Moonah