The Holy Father, Pope Francis, is making an apostolic visit to the people of Iraq. His visit will be a consolation for the Christian people of that troubled land. The Christian Faith has a long ancient presence. The disciples of Jesus there have suffered greatly. They are a Church of martyrs. Let us accompany the Holy Father with our prayers for peace, reconciliation, and religious liberty for all the Iraqi people. May the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph, her beloved spouse, bring them the healing and hope of the Lord Jesus.

WASHINGTON– On March 2, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recently approved for use in the United States. 

“The approval of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the United States again raises questions about the moral permissibility of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines.