CBCP gives full backing to coronavirus vaccination program

TACLOBAN CITY—The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is giving its total support to the country’s coronavirus vaccination program.

This was disclosed by Bishop Rex Ramirez of the Diocese of Naval at an online conference last Feb. 11.

Ramirez, who leads the CBCP episcopal commission on health care services, said it is time for the Church and the government to work together to address the pandemic gripping the country.

“The health care commission of the CBCP is willing to help the government in several ways,” Ramirez said. Among these were to help in the information campaign about COVID-19 and coronavirus vaccines.

“Another would be in encouraging dioceses and parishes to help out, not only in this education, but also in allowing their places to be used,” he added.

Because Filipinos trust and have confidence in the Church, Ramirez said it was willing to encourage and educate people about the vaccination program of the government and, in the process, help stop the spread of SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Ramirez also said priests can use their homilies to discuss the vaccination plan of the government.

“We would be able to give encouragement, or even use the pulpit for the vaccination process. Of course the Church has also to explain certain things concerning the vaccination, like there are times when a person cannot be vaccinated,” he added.

TSB