You can roll up your sleeve and get the COVID-19 vaccine, in good conscience, for your sake and that of the wider community.
That was Bishop Vincent’s message to Catholic parishioners in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains today.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta was speaking at a multicultural community event where he also received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
RELATED: Diocese of Parramatta website on COVID-19
The dose was administered at the newly opened mass vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush. The event was attended by other faith leaders, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Minister for Multicultural Affairs Dr Geoff Lee as part of a campaign to encourage multicultural communities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv (fifth from right) and other faith leaders at the COVID-19 vaccine campaign. Image: Supplied.
Getting the vaccine is an “important step in keeping us safe and enabling us to get back to some sort of normality,” Bishop Vincent said at the event.
“I understand some people have concerns about the vaccine. It is safe and it is responsible to take the vaccine.
“Even Pope Francis has said Catholics can accept the vaccine with a clear conscience.
“Roll up your sleeve and get a jab because it will keep you safe and healthy. It will promote the common good, and keep the community safe,” he said.
RELATED: The ACBC’s guidance on the COVID-19 vaccines
Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to take the vaccine saying in a January 10 interview, “I believe that morally everyone must take the vaccine.
“It is the moral choice because it is about your life but also the lives of others,” the Holy Father said.
RELATED: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith note on COVID-19
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has said that receiving a COVID vaccine is permissible and that “the common good may recommend vaccination, especially to protect the weakest and most exposed.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Image: Supplied.
Premier Berejiklian thanked Bishop Vincent and the other faith leaders present for their work in education their respective communities about COVID-19.
“Thank you on behalf of the people of NSW for your support and leadership,” she said.
The Sydney Olympic Park mass vaccination centre houses around 300 staff and can administer more than 5,000 COVID vaccines daily.
The Diocese of Parramatta runs a dedicated website with information on COVID-19, Mass resources and other practical information. This website can be accessed here: parracatholic.org/covid19
