Cyprus Orthodox Archbishop suspends 12 unvaccinated priests
Nicosia, CyprusAP The head of Cyprus’ Orthodox Christian Church said Sunday that he will suspend a dozen priests from his diocese because they refused to heed his call to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Archbishop Chrystostomos II told state broadcaster CyBC that most of the priests are also theologians who have swayed some of the faithful […]
Don’t discriminate against the unvaccinated, Amnesty International tells Italy
Milan, ItalyReuters Human rights group Amnesty International urged Italy to change tough anti-COVID restrictions to avoid discrimination against unvaccinated people. In a recent decree Mario Draghi’s government made vaccination mandatory for everyone over the age of 50 and for use of public transport and a range of other services, one of very few countries to […]
Vatican tightens COVID-19 restrictions, applies mandatory vaccination
Vatican CityRNS In a decree signed on 5th January, the Vatican tightened its COVID-19 regulations by requiring the use of FFP2 masks (similar to N95 masks) inside and making vaccinations and booster shots mandatory for employees and visitors wishing to enter the Vatican Museums and gardens. The Governorate of Vatican City State issued a decree […]
In the US, two evangelical seminaries sue to block vaccine mandates, citing religious freedom
RNS Two prominent US evangelical seminaries are challenging the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate in federal court. Under new Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, employers with more than 100 workers must require those workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The rules, which went into effect in early November, set a January deadline for those vaccinations. […]
California Catholic bishop tells priests to decline vaccine exemption requests
RNS San Diego Roman Catholic Bishop Robert McElroy has sent a letter instructing priests in his diocese that there is no basis in Catholic teaching to offer a religious exemption for COVID-19 vaccinations as more employers and schools enact vaccine mandates. In his 11th August letter, McElroy reiterated the Catholic Church’s support for COVID-19 vaccinations and […]