DIOCESAN NEWS RELEASES

Schedule your COVID-19 Vaccine NOW
with Our Lady of Lourdes and Women's and Children's Hospital!

See the latest Louisiana Department of Health criteria and schedule your vaccine online today at

LourdesRMC.com/covid19vaccine 
OR
call (337) 470-4767 for more information.

Why should I get the vaccine?

• Vaccination is pivotal to ending the pandemic.

• The vaccines are safe and effective. The vaccines do not alter human DNA.

• It is not possible to get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

• Side effects are mild to moderate, such as fatigue or headache.

• You are helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to elders and those with compromised immune systems.

Discover more at LourdesRMC.com/covid19vaccine

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ Chairman for Asian and Pacific Island Affairs on Discrimination Against the Asian Community
 
March 22, 2021
 
WASHINGTON — Following deadly shootings at three businesses in the greater Atlanta area this past week and the dialogue that has been ignited about other reported incidents of aggression against people of Asian descent, Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Salt Lake City, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs decried the culture of death, hatred and violence that underlies these incidents and called for solidarity with the vulnerable. The full statement follows:
 
“I am deeply saddened to hear of another mass shooting that has tragically taken the lives of eight people and has renewed concerns about a rise of hostility against individuals of Asian descent. As bishops, we decry any kind of hatred and violence, particularly based on race, ethnicity, or sex. We pray for the families and friends of those who were lost, and for their communities, who may feel unsafe and vulnerable at this time.
 
“This latest incident has prompted national dialogue on addressing anti-Asian bias that has taken the form of numerous other acts of physical violence, verbal attacks and destruction of property against those of Asian descent over the last year that have left communities across the country traumatized. 
 
“I echo Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer’s words that ‘[w]e must support all victims of violence and stand in solidarity with those who are vulnerable in our communities.’ More broadly, we must always stress that every human being is a brother or sister in Christ, created in the image and likeness of a loving God. Particularly during this season of Lent, let us remember God’s love and mercy for each one of us and renew the call for conversion of heart, that we may be more united to God’s love and share it with all of our neighbors.”
 
Last May, in the midst of increased reports of incidents of racism and xenophobia against Americans of Asian and Pacific Island heritage, three bishop chairmen issued a statementexpressing their “call for a stronger resolve towards unity, demonstrated through acts of solidarity, kindness and love toward one another, so that we can emerge from this crisis renewed and stronger as one American people; a people that places value in every human life, regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender or religious affiliation.”
 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU HEAD TO MASS THIS WEEKEND (MARCH 6-7, 2021)

     Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has moved Louisiana into modified Phase III Reopening, Catholics in the Diocese of Lafayette can expect to see a few changes when we arrive at church this weekend.   Under the new state guidelines, “Religious services will no longer have capacity limits, social distancing is strongly encouraged and masking will still be required.”   That means your parish may no longer have every other pew blocked off or signs designating where you can sit during Mass, but to help keep everyone safe, you’re still asked to practice social distancing between your family and others.  In addition, many pastors will designate a section of available seating for the elderly, caretakers, or those who are immunocompromised, who desire to worship six feet from others.  

      Because you may find yourself seated closer to others in church, the wearing of masks remains very important.  Liturgical ministers, likewise, are expected to wear masks.   

     Bishop Deshotel reminds everyone that “All Catholics continue to be dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass.”  If you’re not yet comfortable returning to in-person Mass, you can fulfill your duty to sanctify Sunday by watching a televised or live-streamed Mass as a family, by reciting the rosary, reading scripture, or by participating in other devotions.  People of all ages with underlying medical issues should adhere to all CDC guidelines. 

    Please stay safe out there!

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Bishop Douglas Deshotel issued the following statement today (March 2, 2021)
on the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

     The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage populations around the globe. Worldwide over 2.5 million have died. In the United States the death toll is over half a million, with Louisiana’s death toll approaching 10,000. Thankfully, vaccines have been developed to reduce the spread and effects of this virulent killer.
     
     As I announced in a previous communication,  “Vaccines are now being made available to various groups throughout the United States.  I have reviewed these remedies along with the Bishops of the United States and we have determined, reinforced by the Holy Father Pope Francis, that receiving the new Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are justifiable and morally acceptable ways to help end this pandemic.  Being vaccinated should be considered as an act of charity toward others in our communities.  I encourage all of the faithful of the Diocese of Lafayette to take this moral evaluation to heart as you make your decision to receive the coronavirus vaccinations as they become available.”
 
     I continue to encourage everyone to receive a vaccination, but the new vaccine from Johnson & Johnson has some moral concerns we must acknowledge.  Unlike the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, Johnson & Johnson uses a line of stem cells procured from abortions performed over 30 years ago in the production of its vaccine.
 

 To the question of whether a person should receive this vaccine in good conscience,
the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith stated on December 21, 2020:0

• “All vaccinations recognized as clinically safe and effective can be used in good conscience with the certain knowledge that the use of such vaccines does not constitute formal cooperation with the abortion from which the cells used in production of the vaccines derive…..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.”
• This mirrors the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI in Dignitas Personae.

     Given our present situation and the need to protect ourselves and one another from this virus, my guidance to the faithful of the Diocese of Lafayette is to accept as your first choices the vaccines created by Pfizer and Moderna, but if for any reasonable circumstance you are only able to receive the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, you should feel free to do so for your safety and for the common good.

        In addition, I have consulted with Catholic health care representatives, and I understand and appreciate their serious challenges as to the acquisition and equitable distribution of all three vaccines. I therefore support their policy of administering any of the vaccines as circumstances require.

Again, as I have stated in my original letter to the Diocese, “I encourage all of the faithful of the Diocese of Lafayette to take this moral evaluation to heart as you make your decision to receive the coronavirus vaccinations as they become available.”

With Hope in the Lord,   
+J. Douglas Deshotel
Bishop of Lafayette