The Archdiocese of New Orleans has issued a statement condemning the coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson as “morally compromised” because it was developed using cells that derived from abortions.
In a statement, the church wrote that Johnson & Johnson used “morally compromised call lines” that derived from two abortions performed decades ago, and notes that “the two vaccines currently available from Pfizer and Moderna do not rely on cell lines from abortions in the manufacturing process and therefore can be morally acceptable for Catholics” despite those companies using the abortion-derived cell line in lab testing, “as the connection to abortion is extremely remote.”
Although the church says that it consulted with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, that organization has yet to release an official statement on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Archdiocese adds, “We maintain that the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine remains one of individual conscience in consultation with one’s healthcare provider. We also maintain that in no way does the Church’s position diminish the wrongdoing of those who decided to use cell lines from abortions to make vaccines. In doing so, we advise that if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available, Catholics should choose to receive either of those vaccines rather than to receive the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of its extensive use of abortion-derived cell lines.”
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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