Missouri Bishops' Response to Approval of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine + more COVID-19 vaccine resources

On Tuesday, Archbishop Rozanski issued a statement in response to the approval of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. In the statement, Missouri Catholics are encouraged "to examine the moral and ethical concerns surrounding the decision to receive this vaccination," as with all other vaccines, but also reminded that "Catholics who appropriately question the morality of accepting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may receive the inoculation in good conscience if no other alternative is available."

Bishop McKnight also issued a statement Thursday regarding the COVID-19 vaccines, echoing the Archbishop's word that Missouri Catholics can in good conscience take any of the three vaccines.

In a statement published in November, the four Missouri bishops stated that "Catholics may in good conscience utilize vaccines, even those derived in an unethical manner, in order to protect themselves, as well as to avoid the serious risk to vulnerable persons and to society as a whole resulting from remaining unvaccinated."

The MCC has prepared several resources to help guide Missouri Catholics through the vaccination process, from considering the moral concerns to signing up for your shot. We encourage you to read our latest Messenger or listen to the latest episode of MCC from the Capitol to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines from a Catholic perspective. Click the links below to read or listen today. 

MCC Messenger on COVID-19 Vaccines
MCC Messenger on COVID-19 Vaccines (Spanish)
MCC talks COVID-19 vaccines with Bishop McKnight and Dr. Keith Starke