Archdiocese of New Orleans issues statement encouraging Catholics not to receive J&J Vaccine
On February 28th, the Archdiocese of New Orleans released a statement advising Catholics not to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is available. In their statement, they labeled the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as “morally compromised as it uses the abortion-derived cell line in development and production of the vaccine as well as the testing.” While advising against the J&J vaccine, they “maintain that the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine remains one of individual conscience in consultation with one’s healthcare provider.”
The “abortion-derived cell line” the Archdiocese is referring to is the practice of using human cells from an abortion in vaccine development. There is no fetal tissue in the vaccine, but it was produced (not uncommonly) from testing on human cells from an abortion. The use of fetal cell tissue has been described as “a significant advance in vaccine development” by historyofvaccines.org, as previously, animal cells were used.
The controversy within the Catholic Church about vaccines is not new, but the recent Johnson and Johnson vaccine rollout has brought the issue back to the forefront. The Catholic Church weighed in on this practice back in 2005, in paper titled “Moral Reflections on Vaccines prepared from Cells derived from aborted human foettuses.” They describe the production of vaccines from abortion derived cells as produced “in an immoral way.”
In a press conference on March 5th, Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards addressed the Archdiocese’s statement. “Obviously I have tremendous respect too for the Archbishop of New Orleans, and Archbishop Aymond and I spoke on Sunday afternoon. And, I would point out that I don’t read his statement as completely telling people who are Catholic or otherwise not to avail themselves of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine… I’m encouraging everyone out there to take the first vaccine that is available to them whether it is Pfzier, whether it is Moderna, or whether its Johnson and Johnson.”
The statements from the Archdiocese and Gov. Edwards come as the first mass vaccination events are occurring in March. Many people see the J&J vaccine as the more convenient option, as it requires only one shot.
Deadline to bring lawsuit against Archdiocese of New Orleans ends
The deadline for victims to file sexual abuse claims against The Archdiocese of New Orleans ended on March 1st. The deadline is in place as a result of the Archdiocese filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of 2020. The filing for bankruptcy was partly in response to a mounting number of lawsuits against the Archdiocese of New Orleans for sexual abuse. According to BishopAccountability.org, the Archdiocese is just one of twenty-six archdiocese’s across the US who have filed for bankruptcy due to the sexual abuse crisis.
A New Orleans judge set the deadline for victims to file suit as March 1, 2021 in September of 2020. The deadline is known as a “bar date” and is standard practice in bankruptcy court. If a victim abused before May 1st, 2020 wants to receive payment from the Church, they must have submitted a claim by March 1st. According to an FAQ published by another Diocese that filed for bankruptcy, Ch.11 bankruptcy is done “with the goals of being able to equitably and proportionally address the financial claims of those to whom it owes money and to emerge with its operations intact.”
The New Orleans scandal blew open in November of 2018, in response to calls for the Church to be transparent about sexual abuse. Archbishop Gregory Aymond released a list of 57 clergy members accused of sexual abuse of minors. The list has seen a significant number of additions as more people are speaking out.
Reached for comment on March 7th, Melanie Sakoda, Survivor Support Coordinator for SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) wrote in an e-mail: “All victims abused before May 1, 2020, must have filed a claim by the deadline or, as the bankruptcy law currently stands, they lose their right to file a lawsuit against the Archdiocese forever. The bankruptcy court is a wonderful deal for the Archdiocese, not so great for survivors. It can take a victim decades to come forward. The average age currently is 52. Anyone who wasn’t ready to file a claim on March 1st is just out of luck…”
The next step in the Ch.11 bankruptcy process is a re-organization plan the Church must provide to be voted on by creditors.
Orleans Parish Churches one step closer to full capacity
On March 12th, the city of New Orleans moved into a modified phase 3 which opens religious services to 75% capacity. Mayor LaToya Cantrell is preaching caution to businesses and religious gatherings – Governor John Bel Edwards opened religious services up to full capacity, but she wants to take things a bit slower
Religious gatherings in New Orleans have faced the same challenges as gatherings across the United States. Churches have been forced to adapt to covid-19 guidelines, many now stream their services online. Some, such as Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, require an online reservation to show up to in-person worship gatherings.
In a pandemic financial report, the historic St. Louis Cathedral estimates in the first three months of lockdown, the Church lost “a total of $318,000.00 in income… since the government mandates were activated. The majority of this deficit comes from a lack of a weekly loose collection, candle sales, weddings, gift shop sales, and museum admissions during the shutdown.”
Deacon David Warriner has been serving at the St. Louis Cathedral for eighteen years. He recalls the first time on the altar during the pandemic. “I walked out in St. Louis Cathedral, stood behind the altar, and took a picture of a completely empty church … It was an extremely strange event. I’ve seen the Cathedral so full, that they have people all the way up the side aisles, the back of church filled, the vestibule filled, and people standing outside.”
“It’s all the way from that, to no one in Church at all,” said Deacon Warriner.
He adds that the “staff of the cathedral was drastically cut back.” Gift shop workers, maintenance workers and custodians have all been cut down to the bare minimum to cope with losing profits.
But, as a modified phase 3 has begun, he observes Church attendance has grown: “this past Sunday (March 14th) we’ve had the largest congregation we’ve had since the pandemic – it was 400 people.” For reference, the Cathedral can hold up to 1,000 congregants, which frequently was filled every Sunday.
Deacon Warriner is optimistic about his church’s future, with the vaccine and new cases slowing down, “I definitely do think we’re headed in the right direction.”
No Chauvinists 