CCC applauds increased assistance for low-income Californians; USCCB condemns violence at U.S. Capitol; Catholic moral teaching on COVID-19 vaccines and Bishops Rojas takes leadership of San Bernardino Diocese following Bishops Barnes’ retirement in this week’s Insights.
Golden State Stimulus Proposal Designed to Help Low-Wage Essential Workers
Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week a major effort to increase assistance to low-wage Californians suffering economically from the impact of the pandemic.
The Golden State Stimulus proposal, which will be included in the Governor’s budget proposal to be released today (1/8/21), uses the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CAL-EITC) program to send $600 to workers earning less than $30,000 per year. The stimulus is in addition to the federal $600 sent to taxpayers.
“We are grateful to the Governor and his staff for recognizing the importance of CalEITC for our children and families,” said Ned Dolejsi, interim executive director of the California Catholic Conference. “Both the federal and the California Earned Income Tax Credit has lifted hundreds of thousands of working families out of poverty.”
U.S. Bishops’ President Condemns Violent Protests at U.S. Capitol
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to this week’s violence in the United States Capitol:
“I join people of good will in condemning the violence [today] at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety.
“The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”
Catholic Moral Teaching and Tradition on COVID-19 Vaccines
As the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 become available, it is critically important that Catholics and others have an accurate understanding of how these vaccines may be viewed from the perspective of Catholic moral teaching and tradition. The Vatican’s doctrinal office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), has determined that it is “morally acceptable” for Catholics to take these vaccines against the COVID-19 Virus. Their determination is deeply rooted in the Catholic moral tradition. A brief review of their discernment in reaching this determination will assist people as they consider use of these and other vaccines.
Vaccine development and production over the last several decades have often relied upon some cell lines that regrettably were originally developed from cells obtained from two fetuses that were aborted in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are not dependent on these cell lines. They were developed using different technology relying on ribonucleic acid (RNA) from the virus itself.
Bishop Alberto Rojas takes leadership of Diocese after Vatican announces Bishop Gerald Barnes’ retirement
Exactly 25 years to the day after Bishop Gerald Barnes was appointed to be the second Bishop of San Bernardino, the Vatican announced that his retirement has been accepted by Pope Francis and his successor, Bishop Alberto Rojas, now assumes leadership of the nation’s fifth-largest diocese.
A statement released by the Vatican Press Office early Monday morning declared that “the Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of San Bernardino, United States of America, presented by Bishop Gerald Richard Barnes. He is succeeded by Bishop Alberto Rojas, until now coadjutor of the same diocese.”
The announcement automatically triggered the installation of Bishop Rojas as the Ordinary Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino. An Ordinary Bishop assumes full responsibility for the teaching, sanctifying, and governing of a diocese, and reports only to the Holy Father.
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In the News
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that happens in states and communities across the United States. Click here for a Catholic toolkit with ways to advocate for victims including educational materials, social media posts, and prayer cards.
January is Poverty Awareness Month
During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and the Catholic community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis’ challenge to live in solidarity with the poor. In addition to the calendar, longer daily reflections are also available. All of these resources are also en Español.
Pope Francis Calls for ‘Culture of Care’ in 2021 World Peace Day Message
Pope Francis asked that “we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another” in his 2021 World Peace Day message.
Pope Francis on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most important African-American leaders in U.S. history and one of the iconic figures of the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. King’s fight against discrimination and segregation changed American history and gave hope to millions of a future of equality. The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is Monday, January 18, 2021.
California State Capitol News
The California State Legislature will reconvene in the Capitol on Monday after delaying its return by a week for COVID-related reasons. In addition, Governor Newsom will release the details of his proposed budget today (Friday). Stay with the CCC for important legislative news as it emerges.
To worship the Lord, we first have to “lift up our eyes”: not to let ourselves be imprisoned by those imaginary spectres that stifle hope, knowing that the Lord is aware of our troubles, attentive to our prayers and not indifferent to the tears we shed.
@Pontifex
January 8, 2021
Vol. 14, No. 1