While confusion has arisen in recent days in the media over “the moral permissibility” of using the COVID-19 vaccines just announced by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna, it is not “immoral to be vaccinated with them,” the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ doctrine and pro-life committees said Nov. 23.
Respect Life
U.S. bishops urge Trump, Barr to stop upcoming federal executions
In response to the upcoming federal execution of Orlando Hall Nov. 19, and two more federal executions scheduled to take place in December, two U.S. bishops’ committee chairmen called on the government to end this practice.
Working group formed to deal with conflicts between Biden policies, church teaching
Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit will head up a special working group of the U.S. bishops to address issues surrounding the election of a Catholic president and policies that may come about that would be in conflict with Catholic teaching and the bishops’ priorities.
Archbishop Lori to lead USCCB pro-life committee, Wisconsin priest chosen to be next general secretary
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore was elected on a vote of 139-102 over Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver to lead the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, it was announced during the first day of the USCCB’s annual fall general assembly Nov. 16.
Pro-lifers fear ‘hard-core, pro-abortion forces’ in a Biden administration
If President Donald Trump’s legal efforts to challenge his 2020 reelection results prove unsuccessful and Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States, pro-life advocates are finding no silver linings.
Peterson’s loss shrinks number of pro-life Democrats in House
The Election Day defeat of Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, will shrink the number of pro-life Democrats in the House of Representatives by two when the 117th Congress is seated in January.
Pope calls for Poland to protect life amid protests over abortion law
As protests against a near-total ban on abortions gripped Poland, Pope Francis urged the people of the country to defend life.
Polish bishops decry disruption of Masses over court’s abortion ruling
Poland’s bishops’ conference decried attacks on churches by demonstrators protesting a near-total ban on abortions by the country’s Constitutional Court and urged restraint from violence and dialogue.
Pro-life center opens next to Planned Parenthood in downtown Baltimore
After years of preparation, the Center for Pregnancy Concerns is opening its newest Baltimore City location with a “virtual ribbon cutting.”
Government committee: Spain’s euthanasia bill tantamount to murder
Members of the Spanish Bioethics Committee have unanimously opposed a euthanasia bill, warning their government that the proposed legislation would oblige doctors to commit murder.
Bioethics questions emerge from experimental drug used in COVID-19 treatment
The treatment that President Donald Trump has received to fight COVID-19 has turned the focus on an experimental drug that shows promise in combating the coronavirus but is raising ethical questions about the cell line that helped researchers develop the medicine.
Battle against pandemic should inspire fight for life in all forms, Archbishop Lori says
Archbishop William E. Lori said this week that the country’s protracted battle against COVID-19 should strengthen the faithful’s commitment to the sanctity of life from protecting the unborn to opposing the death penalty.