Church leaders back global vaccine campaign
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia was vaccinated against the coronavirus, as it became known today by the Russian agency Interfax.
“His Holiness the Patriarch was vaccinated in March with one of the domestic vaccines. He is feeling well,” Vladimir Legoida, the head of the Synodal Department for Russian Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media, told the Russian news agency today.
Legoida also pointed out that many priests and high priests of the Russian Church are currently being vaccinated.
The Vatican began its program of vaccination on 13 January 2021, starting with the elderly and others in high-risk categories in the Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. As already noted by the Governorate’s Directorate of Health and Hygiene, priority is bein.
Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, has confirmed Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Vatican.
Citizens of Vatican City State, along with employees and pensioners will have the opportunity to receive the vaccination, as will family members who are entitled to use of the Vatican health care system, FAS (Fondo Assistenza Sanitaria). The campaign is entirely voluntary. Young people under the age of 18 are for the time being excluded, as studies including this age group have not yet been completed.“
Pope Francis had announced during an interview with Italian television station Tg5 that he planned to receive the vaccine this week.
The Pope referred to the vaccination as “an ethical action, because you are gambling with your health, you are gambling with your life, but you are also gambling with the lives of others.”
Private Secretary to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, Bishop Georg Gaenswein, had also confirmed to Vatican News that the Pope emeritus would be vaccinated.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is encouraging people and congregations to donate and to spread the word in the community, as a practical demonstration of Jesus’s command to love our neighbour.
The Church of England is supporting the ‘VaccinAid’ campaign which aims to help fund the biggest vaccination drive in history.
Archbishop Welby, who has already expressed his gratitude for the UK’s £548-million donation to the COVAX programme, said inJanuary 2021 that individuals, churches, and parishes could now contribute.
“The Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on people here and around the world, but vaccines offer the hope of a brighter future,” he said. “I’m delighted that churches and other faith groups in the UK are supporting the VaccinAid campaign. There is no better way to show our deep gratitude for the gifts of science and medicine than making sure vulnerable people around the world are also given a shot.
“At the heart of the Christian faith is Christ’s call to love our neighbour: keeping one another safe from this terrible disease is part of living that out. I encourage people to donate whatever they can, so we can build a better world together.”