OUR REF: YOUR REF:
STATEMENT OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF MALAWI (ECM) ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE Thursday, 11th March 2021
“Love does no wrong to a neighbour” (Romans 13:10)
We, the Catholic Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), commend the Government of Malawi for its efforts in ensuring that vulnerable Malawians have access to COVID-19 vaccines. Having consulted health experts, received guidance from the Decree of the President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State No. 398 (issued on 8th February 2021 on the subject of health emergencies) and having listened to the Government of Malawi that it shall do its best to ensure that all eligible people in Malawi access the COVID-19 vaccine, we strongly encourage all Catholics and people of goodwill that it is morally appropriate to receive the COVID-19 vaccine that Malawi has received.
We are aware of the fears and mixed feelings that some people might have towards COVID- 19 vaccine especially on safety and effectiveness of the vaccine that the Government of Malawi has received. We note such sentiments with care and wish to remind all people that the Church has always shared the government’s concern for the health of people. In protecting the health of people the Church will always advocate a means that is neither sanctioning or punitive in nature but which strikes a balance between protecting collective health and individual freedom of choice, without being oppressive to anyone. To encourage people to go for vaccination, we call upon the Government through the relevant offices to employ all necessary measures needed to uphold the genuineness, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. This should include massive intensive civic education, sensitization because most of the fears and myths among the people especially in the rural areas have come about due to lack of correct information. Government should also make extra effort to acquire more vaccine so that many people should have the chance of receiving it than it is now.
We further implore the Government to put in place necessary measures to address the different concerns that people might have concerning the vaccine while at the same time continuing to put in place all the necessary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, the treatment of those infected and the protection of the population from further spread. We advise all Catholics and people of goodwill that together with other means to stop or even prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, the common good calls for vaccination, primarily to protect the weakest and most vulnerable. As such, we strongly believe that receiving the available COVID-19 vaccine must be understood as an act of charity towards other community members and considered as an act of love of our neighbour and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.
We are aware that people are not obliged to take the vaccine as it is to be done on voluntary basis and at the discretion of an individual. However, as guided by the Decree, mentioned above, we reiterate that those who would refuse the vaccine should “do their utmost to avoid, by other prophylactic means and appropriate behaviour, becoming vehicles for the transmission of the infectious agent”. Therefore, with the assurances of the Government of Malawi on the status of the vaccine and the guidance of the said Decree, we the Catholic Bishops, appeal to the consciences of all Catholics and people of goodwill to take the vaccine as an urgent regulatory response to the primary need to safeguard and guarantee the health of all people.
The Catholic Church in Malawi assures the Government of its continued support in fighting this pandemic. We also appeal to all Malawians to continue protecting themselves and others by properly wearing face masks, frequently washing hands with soap and keeping physical distance as per the guidance of COVID-19 prevention measures.
We, the Catholic Bishops pledge to continue praying for the health workers and all frontliners so that the infection trend and death toll continue to decrease until complete eradication. We further invite all the faithful to continue praying for the same.
Holy Mary, Mother of God and Consoler of the Afflicted, Pray for us and our country, Malawi!
Most Reverend Thomas Msusa President and Archbishop of Blantyre Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka Vice-President and Bishop of Karonga Right Reverend Peter Musikuwa Bishop of Chikwawa Right Reverend Montfort Stima Bishop of Mangochi Right Reverend George Tambala Bishop of Zomba Right Reverend John Ryan Bishop of Mzuzu Very Reverend John Chithonje Diocesan Administrator of Dedza Very Reverend Patrick Thawale Archdiocesan Administrator of Lilongwe