Making a choice for the common good
There is a moral burden on every person to do what it takes to avoid infecting others. Being fully vaccinated is an important step in keeping not only ourselves, but also our families and others in the broader community, safe. If ever there was a moral obligation, this is it.
Aug 13, 2021

Editor’s Column, Sustained by Grace
I live in a guarded community which came into effect many years ago due to a spate of break-ins and snatch thefts in my neighbourhood. I myself was a victim of snatch thieves on several occasions, with one or two incidents happening right outside my front gate. So, when the residents’ association decided to engage the services of a private security company and asked that each household make a monthly contribution, I readily agreed.
Unfortunately, there were only a handful of us willing to ‘pay for our safety’, while the others refused, saying that, irrespective of whether they paid or not, their house was ‘safe’ because the security guards would still keep an eye on the entire neighbourhood. Since the payment was optional, these residents could not be forced to pay. They basically wanted the rest of us to pay for safeguarding our neighbourhood while they had a free ride.
I see a somewhat similar scenario when it comes to getting vaccinated. Despite record high infections and deaths being reported almost daily here in Malaysia, there are still those who argue that the choice of whether to be vaccinated or not is personal. So while many of us are getting our first and second doses, there are some who choose not to get vaccinated. While cautioning that they are not ‘silver bullets’ and cannot eliminate the transmission of the virus, experts have indicated that the vaccines are expected to significantly reduce the number of cases and the need for hospitalisation.
Although there is no Church law or rule that obligates a Catholic to receive a vaccine — including a COVID-19 vaccine, conscience protection is absolutely critical for us as people of faith. There is also an obligation to promote the common good of all people.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has declared the COVID-19 vaccines to be morally licit and has said they can be used in good conscience. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, in their Pastoral Letter dated 4th February 2021 on COVID-19, Vaccines and Immunisation, wrote that “at the present time, given the severity and urgency of the situation and the absence of other means to stop or prevent an epidemic, the common good may recommend vaccination, especially to protect the weakest and the most exposed.” (Q5, Part II).
With the COVID-19 digital vaccination certification being a requirement by our authorities to verify an individual's immunisation status, even at places of worship, the Church has both the opportunity and the obligation to encourage the faithful to get vaccinated as we eagerly await the reopening of our churches and the resumption of public Masses.
A recent media report quoted our Prime Minister as saying that the government is contemplating taking action against anti-vaccine groups after doing some studies and research. The Prime Minister did not rule out the possibility of making it compulsory for each individual to take the vaccine jabs.
Our bishops and many other members of the clergy have made public their vaccination status via both this publication and social media. They have already encouraged the faithful to do likewise and they are continuing to do so, reiterating the importance of getting vaccinated as a means to protect not only oneself but also others. But more needs to be done to turn the tide.
There is a moral burden on every person to do what it takes to avoid infecting others. Being fully vaccinated is an important step in keeping not only ourselves, but also our families and others in the broader community, safe. If ever there was a moral obligation, this is it.
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