coronavirus

The Vatican began vaccinating its employees and residents against COVID-19 Jan. 13, giving priority to its health care workers, security personnel, employees who deal with the public and older residents, employees and retirees.

The suspension of in-person gatherings and activities in the Diocese of St. Cloud due to COVID-19 will continue until at least Feb. 1, Bishop Donald Kettler reiterated in a Jan. 6 letter to pastors.

Churches are invited to ring bells at noon Dec. 30, during the octave of Christmas, to remember and honor the more than 336,000 people who have died in the United States from COVID-19.

Bishop Donald Kettler is continuing the suspension of in-person social activities and other gatherings in parishes until at least Feb. 1, he notified pastors in a letter Dec. 18.  

The Vatican’s doctrinal office said that when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses.

“Only through a widespread and capillary immunization of the population will it be possible to obtain real advantages in terms of public health to achieve control of the pandemic,” Dr. Andrea Arcangeli said Dec. 11.

“Mary of Guadalupe is a powerful symbol of hope. … She is a reminder that no matter how hard life is, God does not abandon us.”

In response to the Supreme Court’s Dec. 3 order saying federal judges should take another look at pandemic limits on California churches, San Francisco’s archbishop said: “The time is overdue for our civil officials to work with us and other churches on worshiping safely.”