Alvernia University: Office of Mission and Ministry Statement on Vaccinations
July 19, 2021
The Office of Mission and Ministry, in accordance with our mission to advance peace in our world, supports the ethical and safe use of vaccinations to protect our campus community.
To that end, we follow Pennsylvania State Health guidelines and directives from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome when considering “the morality of vaccination depends not only on the duty to protect one's own health, but also on the duty to pursue the common good. In the absence of other means to stop or even prevent the epidemic, the common good may recommend vaccination, especially to protect the weakest and most exposed.”¹
The Office of Mission and Ministry recognizes the dignity and sanctity of all human life. We understand there are many who may feel uncomfortable with the notion of a vaccine but we encourage prayerful contemplation of how to protect the common good. If one chooses to come to campus unvaccinated, “they must avoid any risk to the health of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical or other reasons, and who are the most vulnerable”.
In partnership with the Office of Residence Life and the Pandemic Response Team for Alvernia University, we can advise in good conscience that members of the Alvernia Community should strongly consider being vaccinated against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. To echo His Holiness, Pope Francis, “It is the moral choice because it is about your life but also the lives of others."²
¹“Note on the Morality of using some anti-Covid-19 Vaccines” Ladaria, S.I., Luis F. Rome, Italy. 21 December 2020.
²McElwee, Joshua J. Pope Francis suggests people have moral obligation to take coronavirus vaccine. National Catholic Reporter. January 11, 2021. Accessed July 19, 2021.
