The leaders of the Colorado Catholic Conference stated this week that they oppose vaccine mandates, citing the conscience rights of individuals and the constitutional freedoms of religious institutions.
While the bishops acknowledged that “the use of some Covid-19 vaccines is morally acceptable under certain circumstances,” they also unequivocally defended the rights of those who “have well-founded convictions that lead them to discern they should not get vaccinated.”
“We always remain vigilant when any bureaucracy seeks to impose uniform and sweeping requirements on a group of people in areas of personal conscience,” the bishops wrote:
Throughout history, human rights violations and a loss of respect for each person’s God-given dignity often begin with government mandates that fail to respect the freedom of conscience. In the case of the Covid-19 vaccine, we are convicted that the government should not impose medical interventions on an individual or group of persons. We urge respect for each person’s convictions and personal choices.
The bishops explained how the “Catholic Church teaches that a person may refuse a medical intervention, including a vaccination, if his or her conscience leads them to that decision,” and outlined a number of relevant teachings.
“Taken as a whole, these points [of Catholic teaching] mean a Catholic may judge it right or wrong to receive certain vaccines for a variety of reasons, and there is no Church law or rule that obligates a Catholic to receive a vaccine — including Covid-19 vaccines,” they wrote:
The three Colorado Catholic dioceses remain committed to working with public health and other secular authorities to protect the wellbeing of our communities, at the same time urging that personal freedoms of conscience and expression be fully supported, and the integrity and autonomy of religious institutions be respected. The vaccination question is a deeply personal issue, and we continue to support religious exemptions from any and all vaccine mandates.
In what may prove to be a groundbreaking move, the bishops went on to provide a template letter for Catholics who, faced with vaccine pressure or mandates, would like to request a religious exemption from the vaccine.
“If any person comes to an informed judgment that he or she should receive or not receive a vaccine, that person should follow their conscience, and they should not be penalized for doing so,” the bishops wrote:
We encourage any individual seeking exemption to consult their employer or school. The Colorado Catholic Conference also has a letter template available to be signed by pastors of the Faithful if a Catholic wants a written record that they are seeking exemption on religious grounds.
“Colorado bishops are taking the lead as religious leaders, acknowledging that while some Covid vaccines are morally permissible, they should not be mandated by government or non-government entities,” Colorado Catholic Conference Executive Director Brittany Vessely told CatholicVote Friday. “Human and constitutional rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of expression ought to be respected, and the integrity and autonomy of religious institutions must be respected as well.”
Click here for a template letter.
The above comes from an Aug. 6 story on Catholic Vote.
I had covid and I recovered, so no mask, no vax, no regrets.
Praise Jesus and Mary for your recovery. Thank you for hearing our prayers.
You can get it more than once.
Crusader, it’s great that you recovered. I did too. But, I got the vaccine as well. We know that people with the vaccine can get the virus and that the Delta virus is a more efficient spreader. People who are vaccinated can be asymptomatic and spread the virus. I wear a mask so that I don’t infect other people. 98% of the deaths from the current virus surge are unvaccinated. That alone is a good reason to get the shot. It is not getting better. The unvaccinated are taking us back to last summer. Look at the charts of case growth and death growth.
Bob One– I fully agree. I got the two shots (Pfizer) and was warned by the nurse that I might get very sick, after the second shot– which I did. Next, the nurse told me that I may have to come back within a year, for a booster shot– and after that, regular booster shots– but the medical world is still unclear about that. Well, I always follow all precautions, with masks, social distancing, hand-washing, etc. And I stay away from the public as much as possible. Everything you mentioned, I have read about, also– and I hope and pray that this serious Pandemic will finally come to an end! For now, it is important that we all make our little sacrifices, wearing masks, social distancing, hand-washing, etc.– to help protect ourselves, and prevent more people from getting sick and dying.
Bob One, I will not submit to your biomedical overlords.
Military just announced today vaccines will be required. Norwegian Cruise line just won a preliminary injunction which allows them to require passengers to be vaccinated (or I presume, tested for those underage). There are already bars and restaurants in several places requiring proof of vaccination or negative test. Nonetheless, it looks like this outbreak is already losing steam in some places in the US. Fingers crossed and arms exposed!
Not fingers crossed, hands folded in prayer
And take your vitamins C, D, and all the rest, along with Zinc. Eat healthy, whole grain bread, rice, pasta, along with beans. Use slighting cooked or raw fruits and veggies (lots of salads), a little hormone-free meat, preferably chicken or fish, unless you are very physically active. Save steaks and chunks of cheese, sweets and potato chips for rare special occasions. In other words the basic group five.
Free people will never submit.
I identify as vaccinated. So, I am.
And, the Biden administration agrees that one is whatever one thinks one is, regardless of biological facts.
Why do you not mention the “hairy bear” homosexual parties that were going on in some states that led to multiple infections? They were pretty much drunken orgies that went on for about a week. Look that up everyone? Then come and tell those of us who cannot take it for various reasons, including allergies or pregnancies that we need to get the vaccine, even though we do not engage in debauchery.
FYI: According to the New York Times the 7-Day Average Rates from COVID-19 as of August 8th, 2021 for the entire United States:
Infections = 110,360
Deaths = 506
Death Rate = (506/110,360)*100 = 0.45%
Recovery Rate = (100-0.45) = 99.55%
Just reporting. No editorial comment attached.
Folks can’t be reasoned with any more. Heck, people can’t even be talked to…. Why bother?
Just the facts– Why do you trust the ultra-liberal fraud– the NY Times?
If you’re vaccinated, why do you need to wear a mask?
If you’re vaccinated, why are you afraid of people who don’t wear masks?
Because – if you are vaccinated you can still get the virus, you can have the virus and not know it and pass it on to others who may die. You wear a mask not so much to protect you but to protect others from your germs, to keep people out of the ICUs, to keep others from dying.
Enjoy locking yourself down, thinking it is for the good of others.
Bob One… then your blessed vaccine is a fraud
Real pro life Catholics get vaccinated to protect their lives and the lives of others. COVID is death.
Yabbadabbadoo
COVID is a bad joke and start of bio medical techno dictatorship
Do you ever think in terms of medical preventive measures– as a big responsibility?? Not a “dictatorship?” A responsibility that you would insist on, for yourself and your loved ones? Would you not want mandated COVID-19 vaccinations of all doctors, nurses, and medical personnel that treat your loved ones, in hospitals and medical clinics? Would you not want mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for all childcare workers, preschool teachers, and schoolteachers, for all your beloved children?? Would you sue a school, or a medical clinic, or hospital– if doctors, nurses, medical personnel, and school teachers and childcare workers– all “rebelled” and refused to be COVID-19 vaccinated– and your beloved spouse, sibling, mother, father, or child became very ill with COVID-19 (or even died)?? “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as they say.
Do you ever think in terms of medical preventive measures– as a big responsibility?? Not a “dictatorship? No because I know a conspiracy when I see it… we have no idea what the long term effects of this so called vaccine … have fun being a lab experiment
Turn off CNN before your head explodes.
Wilma….And so is the vaccine death to some. If someone can’t take the vaccine you should not accuse them of not being a “real” pro-lifer. I’m vaccinated and so is my husband because of serious medical issues but one of my children cannot get vaccinated because of having a serious condition already which is also caused by the vaccine in some people. He cannot for medical reasons in other words. And your accusations are unfair and wrong.
Never– Nobody is “free,” that is a tragic delusion. Best not to play “Russian Roulette.” We have a serious obligation, before God, to care for the lives of others. Beyond faithfulness to our basic obligations in life– nobody has any say at all, regarding life and death– only Almighty God. Cancer, accidents, heart attacks, (etc.) or COVID-19– we must try all means of prevention. That is the only thing we have in our hands– preventive measures. Nothing in this world is “free.” All belongs to Almighty God.
The Colorado church leaders are out of their minds…………remove them from the Church.
Along with all gay liberal clerics.. who bow before the state
Why?
All you need is Ivermectin. Get the injectable solution and take about 1.2 ml orally with a glass of water every month. If you’re sick, increase the dosage and frequency.
The whole lockdown could have been avoided if this were promoted by health authorities in February 2020. They don’t want you to know there’s such an easy, inexpensive treatment because the point is to get you to take the vaccine with the hidden things in it.
Never submit. Never surrender.
This is rubbish! The drug, approved for use against covid-19 is to be taken only in a hospital under medical supervision and only for younger and light-weight people. Don’t surrender? Are you kidding? To whom would you surrender? Your fellow countrymen/women? Those that you infect and might die? Stop pushing false notions. Don’t listen to people who don’t know the science? Be an American and help stamp out this vicious virus. Wear a mask so that you don’t infect others.
Please please please dont listen to the Ivermectin stuff. It is not an anti-viral. It can harm you.
Are so many Americans– even good, responsible Catholics in our churches, who surely would love God and neighbor, and would be happy to make small sacrifices for the good of all, in this Pandemic– are these people rebellious against masks, social distancing, and all other COVID-preventive meassures, because they are selfish and immature– and do not like to he “mandated” or “told what to do?” Or do they truly believe, with scientifically-valid reasons– that the standard COVID-19 preventive measures, are truly a fraud– and wrong?? And how do they deal with protecting their loved ones from COVID-19— spouses, children, aging parents, grandparents, etc.?? What if one of their loved ones got sick—or even died– from COVID-19??
Uncharitable of you to call those of us who prize freedom selfish and immature.
Recognize there are legitimate reasons not to accept an experimental therapy into one’s body.
Stop C.– No. It is uncharitible of you to say you “prize your freedom” for yourself during a dangerous Pandemic. And if you have legitimate medical reasons to not observe Pandemic preventive measures, and take the shot– as others do-then, be honest– and say so.
More than 97% of those who get covid survive. Like colds and flu, it’s here to stay so now it’s time to live our lives.
Prizing freedom is exactly the reason to make our own, uncoerced decisions. You can disagree but so what! My decision to reject the vax is as valid as yours was to get it.
Stop C.– Your attitude is unnecessarily hostile and strange, for a Catholic. That’s fine, if you have reasons to believe as you do. But please stop this evil hostility towards decent, well-meaning Catholics, trying to do the right thing. Just present your views nicely and intelligently. And please do not be hostile to priests and parishioners at Mass. Better to tell the priest your views, and that you are not going to wear your mask, socially distance, etc.– and explain your reasons why.
Disagreeing with you does not constitute hostility.
Mask mandates are useless over reach designed to make us be submissive. Catholics accepting that, and calling it good, is strange.
Please stop using my name in your hostile posts, “Stop C.!` Maybe in your region, you do not have to wear masks, and it is a different situation. That is just fine! But where I live, we all have to wear the masks, and cannot enter the church door, maskless. Good manners are essential, especially in a church, and on a religious website. Hopefully, we all can practice good manners– and pray for those suffering and dying from Coronavirus, and their hurting families.
Please stop using my name in your hostile posts, “Stop C.!` Maybe in your region, you do not have to wear masks, and it is a different situation. That is just fine. But where I live, we all have to wear the masks, and cannot enter the church door, maskless. Good manners are essential, especially in a church, and on a religious website. Hopefully, we all can practice good manners– and pray for those suffering and dying from Coronavirus, and their hurting families.
Disagreement does not equal hostility.
Stop C.– Again- – Please stop using my “moniker”. I have repeatedly asked you to stop doing this– it is wrong. I do not care about whether you wear a mask in church, that is only your own point of view– and your own life. You have a different church, and a different situation. Please get your own nice “moniker,” and respect other good Catholics. We are here to worship the Lord and follow Him.
I do not like being sick. But I am not afraid of serious illness, or death. I know I will be with Christ, and Our Blessed Mother, when I pass from this world to the next. And the Angels and St. Joseph will also help me, at the time of my death, to pass from this world to the next. But while I am in this world, I accept all my responsibilities, as a practicing Catholic Christian. Including observing all COVID-19 preventive measures.
When I was a little girl, all the children in my neighborhood were taken to the doctor, for medical check-ups, vaccinations, and shots and medicines, as needed. Before the era of modern medicine, many children did not always make it past their early years, and died of childhood illnesses. So, we were very fortunate, and blessed with modern medicine. There was one little boy in our neighborhood, who never went to the doctor– because his parents were practicing Christian Scientists, who rejected modern medicine.
They only believed in prayer. And so he never received any vaccinations, either, and was perhaps a danger to play with, or a danger at the local public school– not sure about that. But sadly, he didn’t live very long. One winter, during a time when a lot of children came down with the flu– he got the flu, also– and sadly died. His parents prayed for his recovery, and had their minister and church people come over and pray for him. But he didn’t make it. He was only seven. I believe in both God, prayer, modern medicines, and natural medicines, and natural methods of healing, and preventive measures, too.
Don’t you want doctors/ nurses/medical personnel, who are treating your loved ones in medical clinics and hospitals, or babysitters/teachers working with your kids, or people handling fresh produce and food items in stores, or chefs in restaurants, preparing food for your family– etc. etc.– don’t you want mandates for all of these employees– to be wearing masks, washing their hands, social distancing (etc.) and to be COVID-19 vaccinated? Don’t you want these important mandates, to help protect your family and loved ones?
Christifidelis, doctors took the Hippocaratic Oath or a reasonable facsimile back then. Abortion and euthanasia was illegal, too. That is not the case now. Many of our healthcare providers cannot be trusted any more. Recently, a nurse was trapped into helping with an abortion even though she let it be known that it was against her conscience. Her supervisor told her she would be fired and lose her license to practice as a nurse. She is now suing. If they can browbeat a nurse into doing something like that, they would do anything for money. (to be continued).
(Continued) Even then physicians made mistakes. When I was a child, the county hospital, that took care of military people’s children, gave me a whole series of wrong shots and had to give me the right series.. It was the “fad” to take children’s tonsils out even if not badly infected. My grandmother refused such surgery for me. Later scientists found out that children who still had their tonsils, either got polio very mildly or not at all. I probably was exposed but never got it. I did later get the polio vaccine for myself and my daughters.
My point: listen to all sides. Doctors can make very serious mistakes.
Anne TE– yes, military hospitals have been tragically famous for decades, for their errors! I knew of many people who had terrible mishaps, in military and VA hospitals! Yes, doctors do make mistakes! You have to use good judgment, and sometimes ask for several opinions on a case, from different doctors. However, in the case of a major Pandemic, it seems to me that even if doctors are not sure regarding treatments, such as the preventive measures and vaccinations– and have admitted this publicly– I believe we all should try every means possible, with preventive measures– even if they are said to not be 100% effective– no one knows for sure. What else can we do? When the Pandemic first broke out, a big choir at a Protestant church in Washington State, decided to have choir practice anyway– and observe proper preventive measures. They were very careful– but within a week, many singers got sick with COVID-19, and several of them quickly died! So anyway– we have no guaranatees, with the oreventive measures, and shots. But I will continue to do my best, to try the preventive measures and shots– and hope it does some good– that is my responsibility to God and my fellow man.
it can’t hurt the cause of the Colorado bishops
that their executive director is beautiful.
Why are so many of the government authorities who are pushing mask mandates not wearing masks when they party?
It’s because it’s a fake pandemic. It’s about controlling the weak-minded citizens by making them fear and turning them against each other.
You people on this board who are chastising others for not wearing masks, don’t you see how you’re being used as pawns? You’ve been duped. You’re doing the work of the socialist revolutionaries for them.
Never. Not me.
Fine then just don’t call yourself pro-life since you are practicing in a death cult.
This evening at the grocery store, a young man with a foreign accent came up to me, and asked if I could please show him where the masks are. His family had just run out of masks, and he alsso felt badly, because he was the only one in the store, who was mask-less. I showed him where the masks were, and he quickly bought a box, put on a mask, and left happily. A very nice young man, who cares for others! God bless him! Many elderly folks, and some disabled folks in wheelchairs, were in the store– a medically vulnerable group to dangerous illnesses, like COVID-19. All the people I know, wherever I go, are very responsible, and willing to try things, for the safety of others. Even though nothing is 100% proven effective. They think of others’ welfare first and foremost, and are happy to put up with small discomforts, doing their best for others– those are our true Christians! God bless them all, for their small sacrifices to help others!
+Golf Clap+
You know, the only thing missing was the violins. ++ Wipes aways tears++
thatdirty (etc. )– What a strange “moniker!” Why this hostility? Are you hostile to the priest in church, too– and refuse to wear your mask? What does he say?
Don’t need the priest’s understanding or permission to shun the mask.
wa wa wa,,, masks do not work deal with it… masks mean submission
Another posting from someone not accepting the virtue shaming. Amen!
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
― C. S. Lewis
So somebody that is cruel and steals from you is better than somebody who just tells you what is good for you soul? have a really hard time believing CS Lewis said that. Was he talking about Tolkien?
Here is more from Mr Chesterton. Perhaps is will help you understand the reason for the original quote. OTH, california public education isn’t what was a few years ago.
“They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be “cured” against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.”
Looks like some of you believe we are actually not in a dangerous Pandemic at all, and are extremely hostile about it. Why? You seem to think the Pandemic is not a reality at all, but is a mere “political concoction” of a deviant, subversive group of people who are seeking “power” and “control” over you.
The answers are all here, you refuse to acknowledge them, so enjoy your next level of mask, lockdown, closed church, vaccine passports and forced jabs.
Useful Idiot– why do you call yourself that? If I were you, I would change that “moniker” to something really nice. “The answers are all here, you refuse to acknowledge them.” What kind of talk is that? Maybe you just live in a different area, and don’t really need to wear a mask, anyway.
But you are not me, and the moniker does not refer to me but to people buying the whole lockdown, mask, mandatory vaxx narrative.
Useful– Well, if I were you, I would figure out a much nicer “moniker” for myself. Your “moniker” tells others something about yourself. How about a favorite saint’s name, or something related to the Church, for a Catholic website? That might also bring you some nice blessings.
My choice of moniker is quite past your area of control.
The point is that surrendering personal freedoms is a slippery slope, and getting back those freedoms is a very steep hill. Thinking people must be emboldened to reject fly by night mandates from those who presume the authority to issue such directives.
Well, then, Useful Idiot– Why waste your time writing to me? Instead, why not write a big essay about your views, and submit it to a publication that is looking for views like that? But I wouldn’t sign your essay, “Useful Idiot.”
To the Moderator– I don’t think you should print posts of those who mockingly re-arrange and use other posters’ “monikers” for themselves, such as “Stop Christi.” That is mean-spirited and unChristian! You said that we all should have our own “monikers,” and not use others’ “monikers” in any manner. I request that you refuse to print any more of these kinds of posts.
Agree. Will keep eye out for that.
Thank you, Moderator!
you watch too much television
and/or mainstream media, Christifidelis.
It really is bad for the intellect.
No, Helen, I never watch TV– except for a few special things occasionally, on EWTN. No TV for me! You should never make assumptions about people. I do not believe in today’s destructive and immoral media and culture. I also think the newscasters are almost all tragically biased, immoral, deviant and leftist, with very little professionalism, truth, objectivity, morality, and common sense. Everyone in my family gave up on the entire media, during the filthy, violent 1960s “hippie” era. To this day, we have nothing to do with any of it. Garbage. I get any news I want, online, from reliable, orthodox, conservative Catholic news sources, like EWTN and a few others. Lots of people no longer have TVs, actually, and just watch something like a good EWTN broadcast sometimes, online!
I’ve been reading your posts and I think the problem is accusing those who for whatever reason, medical or personal, choose not to get vaccinated. Why can’t you respect their choice? And what are the consequences of masking young children 10 hours a day (school plus after care school for working Moms) everyday 5 days a week. I know of one child who has been sick four times so far from this masking, colds, eye problem, etc (when prior to that she hardly ever was sick) no one is considering the consequences of masking and isolation for these young children. Also adults who for whatever reason cannot take the vaccine, shaming them. Is that part of loving your neighbor?
nah…. It’s more the Luke 18:11 thing
Ronnie– No. I never said anything about people who don’t get vaccinated. Nobody could possibly know that. I only questioned the strange hostility of those stating they refusr to wear masks, if required to do so. Anf no, very young children should not wear masks, and cannot get vaccinated. It is only that if, for example, there is a terrible problem with Coronavirus in a certain area– and everyone is cooperating with preventive measures, why would one person strangely refuse, and be mean-spirited about ir? Especially in a church? That does look mean and selfish! But I see now, that there are different areas with different requirements, and people have different views. Hopefully, people will be willing to help, and join in local efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, and help save live. The mean-sounding tone of some of these posts is what is a shock. Not used to it. Especially on a religious website.
I agree Christifidelis but also we have to look at ourselves and how we treat people who can’t get vaccinated, like my son. Someone had the nerve to call him anti-life just because his health demands that he cannot take the shot. It is way too dangerous. And some of the mandates are unconstitutional. You cannot force people, whether for health reasons or personal reasons, to take an experimental vaccine. That’s my view anyway. As for Church we have been without masks for a month now. It is not required if vaccinated. And it affects my health sometimes so I choose not to wear it. Some people still mask even if vaccinated but we choose not to and our Pastor wants it that way. Personal choice. But he does recommend masks if not vaccinated but he doesn’t require verification. It’s on the honor system.
You will never guilt me into taking an experimental non-vaccine vaccine because you’re afraid you made the wrong decision to get jabbed and want to feel comfortable forcing others to make the same error in judgment you did. Covering your error in judgment with false pro-life virtue doesn’t work. It’s an experimental non-vaccine, it’s not working, people who have been “vaccinated” are getting infected and dying, and people who got jabbed allowed something in their bodies that nobody knows what the effects will be later.
Never. I’m pro-life and pro-bodily integrity and pro-intelligence and pro-facts. I’m anti-groupthink.
For me, this has nothing at all to do with so-called “fear,” or “guilt,” or “groupthink,” or whatever. I never do things with such motivations. I did not like taking the vaccine, and the second shot made me very sick– but it was mandatory, for work reasons. And I hoped it might also help protect me, as I am in a vulnerable older age group. Anyway, so everyone does their best. Are you required at work to take the vaccine? If not, then you can decide what you want to do. Everyone I know, has been happy to get the vaccine, and we all hope for the best, though we have nothing “perfect” to rely on, unfortunately. I know people who have sadly been grieving loved ones who have died from COVID-19. A very hard “cross to bear,” especially if it happens suddenly– and it hurts very much, to lose a young and seemingly-healthy spouse, son or daughter, sibling, or friend. Of course, to lose an older parent, or relative, is likewise extremely painful. Many are suffering these unbearable losses, due to Coronavirus, sadly.
How many of you refuse to wear masks in church? Or in other places that tell everyone that they must wear a mask– or leave? What do you do, if you have a valuable role in the church– either volunteer or paid– and you tell the priest that you refuse to wear a mask? What does he say? All of this odd behavior is very new– and quite strange– to me. I don’t know anyone with such beliefs and behavior. Especially in our church– no one would ever say such things to the priest. They all mask-up happily– and show their vaccination cards, too. I was happy to get mine! And sit in marked-off, socially-distanced pews. And help with the cleaning of the church, between Masses. Etc. So what do you do, in your church? And what does the priest say, exactly? Does he agree– and tell people, “no masks?” Or what?
I will never wear a mask in church again. I will never wear a mask while shopping again. Never. I will tell managers who ask me to wear a mask to shove it, and then I will happily continue shopping. That is how a mature, free person will react in these totalitarian times to irrational mask demands.
Never– what did the priest say about that, in church? And the store nanager? What part of California do you live in? — maybe things with mask-wearing are different, in your area.
Christifidelis, since you asked and you seem sincere, I fall under the dispensation. I attended Mass the first Sunday the general dispensation was lifted and everyone wore masks. then the priest announced that masks were now optional. We were uncomfortable with going back because of our underlying conditions. Cases are spiking here and in the streamed video I can see that most people who go to Mass do not wear masks.
I wish they would have a mask wearing Mass or a masked section of the church (there are not windows that can be opened in our church)
sig– are you in California? Where exactly are you located?
No, not in CA. I currently reside in one of the eastern states but not on the coast.
This is California Catholic Daily. Not Eastern US Catholic Daily.
Even though I wear a mask when necessary — one mask only -I do not “freak out” if someone around me is not wearing one. I wear one to remind me to keep my hands down from my face, and it helps keep me from coughing when incense comes my way. I love the smell of incense, but it makes me cough if it gets right up into my nose. If it does that for incense, I am sure it filters out some of the virus, although not all. Wearing two or more masks at one time is unreasonable and unhealthy, unless one goes into a very toxic, dangerous environment.
I wear one mask, not two or more, when necessary. I take it off outside in the sunlight. I distance somewhat around strangers and take the mask off momentarily in church or in a parking lot to receive Communion on the tongue. Yes, the majority of the time I have received on the tongue, kneeling and from priests or nuns who know how to do that safely. I wash and rinse all my masks by hand in the sink with Woolite or other mild detergent and hang them to dry. My chief objection to masks is that they are mostly made in Communist countries. We need more made over here.
“Charity begins at home”.
We have been free of masking in our Church for the last month, if we’re vaccinated but if not the Pastor said you should wear a mask. But he is not asking people for verification of vaccine. He’s trusting people will follow his suggestions. We never wear a mask now. I thought all churches were like that. Sorry to say but I think Californians are a little paranoid
Ronnie– With almost 40 million people (as of 2020) California is famous as the state with the highest population in the Nation. There are many people here from all over the U.S., and all over the world. And they may bring with them a great number of diseases! Including COVID-19 and the Delta variant! And there are huge problems with dope, homelessness, and criminal activity. So, it is a very different situation than much nicer, cleaner, safer, healthier, more rural parts of the country. Where do you live? I had previously thought all the Cal CatholIc readers were Californians.
I live in New York which is similar and which is also very diverse. My sister, nephew, niece and friends live there so I have a deep connection
Moderator: I think the bullying, hostility, belittlement, and harassment displayed towards good Catholic posters, in regards to obeying Pandemic regulations, is very counter-productive towards the good of our California Catholic community. You should not allow these bullies to attack, belittle and harass good Catholics, who are obeying Pandemic regulations, especially at Mass– and also, serving our parish churches. Regardless of unproveable effectiveness of Pandemic preventive measures– wearing masks, socially distancing, getting the vaccination– I believe you should clearly support the health and well-being of our Catholic parishioners– including compliance with all Pandemic preventive measures required, in our churches. I hope you will consider adopting a good policy, regarding this situation!
Thank you for your comment. We understand this is a contentious topic but we try our best to keep the debate civil and open.
Expressing a different opinion is not harassment or bullying. You must expect that your point of view is not the only one held among people of good will, and Catholics are not obligated to agree with Church authority on what is a political, not religious matter.
Amen. Some here like Christefidelis are very sensitive to those who have differing thoughts but better to have the discussion and show diversity of opinion among Catholics.
Carlos– So, it looks like many posters are really “touchy” about “anti-masking”and “anti-vaxxing,” And you are all feeling “oppressed”– “your freedoms denied,” or whatever. And you are very mad about that. Well, it has nothing to do with me. I say, let’s forget all about it, and be good Catholics, and worship the Lord together.
The mask/vaccine stance in its essence is:
It’s raining and I have an umbrella, but my umbrella won’t protect me unless you also have an umbrella.
I’m tired of all these selfish anti-umbrella people…
I have an umbrella, but I could get wet if they don’t.
It won’t stop raining until everyone has an umbrella.
It is not going to stop raining. A vaccine is the most powerful protection you can get to prevent serious life-altering consequences or death from Covid-19. A mask is another layer of protection. Washing your hands and not touching your face and sanitizing surfaces are other layers of protection.
Everything you do to protect yourself, protects every other person on the planet.
It is a virus. It is here. It is not going away.
sig, I agree with you.
We are in a very serious Pandemic. We are all praying for the sick and dying, and for the dead, at our church, tragic victims of Coronavirus– and their grieving families.
Jesus and Mary really stopped the spread of Covid at the end of May, the end of the Rosary Marathon. How they did it? The vaccine and a year of social distancing and mask wearing. Then what changed? The vaccine didn’t change, the mask wearing did.
Some people cannot take the vaccine. They should wear masks and stay home and wash their hands and their families should too.
Some people have more anxiety about the vaccine than they do about the disease.
We are just at the beginning of this plague. It is not going away. Take it seriously. Cooperate with the Lord.
Many more people have died from the disease than from the vaccines.
Don’t play Russian roulette.
If you are concerned about getting the vaccine, ask your doctor. Our doctor told us the vaccine made a miraculous difference in how sick people got.
It is not a sure thing, but it is the best we have at this time. You may not live to see a better one.
Just the truth– Yes. Bless you– keep saying your daily Rosary.
Jesus and Mary had nothing to do with it. It’s preposterous for you to claim that Jesus and Mary gave us the vaccines and masks. The rosary had nothing to do with it.
The great sin of the West is that they think they made all it’s progress without God.
At the end of May, the end of the Rosary, cases collapsed, even more than the vaccine itself could have done.
God helps those who help themselves but really God helps everyone.
Kevin, I think the poster meant in their own way, that Jesus and Mary are helping mankind suffering from the Pandemic, and that prayer is helpful. A Rosary Marathon is a great idea.
I go to a beauty salon a couple of blocks away from Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s salon, in which she had her famous “mishap” last year. Unlike the incident with Rep. Pelosi, I always follow all requested protocols, keep my mask on– and am happy to do so! I like to be friends with the hairdressers, and happily give the lovely hairdresser a good tip! The Pandemic has been very hard on most businesses, so I am sensitive to that! We all can work happily together, and get through this Pandemic.
In all of our decisions, throughout our lives, as Catholics, we are taught by the Church to place Christ first, in love and trust, and do what He would have us do– and set aside our own desires and self-interest, dying to self for love of Him. Every Catholic is given help and grace by God in prayer, to know and to do what is the right thing, according to His Will. So, we always should turn to Him, especially in very troubled times– and He will always lead us safely in the right paths.