PANAJI: Catholic priests in Goa, whether diocesan or religious, are leading by example and getting vaccinated, paving the way for the faithful to follow.
“I took the vaccine the moment the announcement was made that it was available for the under-60 age group,” said Fr Eugene D’Silva, rector of the seminary of the Redemptorist fathers in Varca.
“One of our members, an 81-year-old with heart ailment who underwent bypass surgery in the past also took it.
We have encouraged all our students too, now that it’s available for everyone above 18.” The Catholic church hasn’t put any blocks to taking the vaccine, with Pope Francis and Oswald Cardinal Gracias also having received the jab.
“The Church is not against the vaccine.
Faith and science always go together,” said D’Silva.
“The Church and faith need science, and we cannot rely on miracles alone.
The Church believes that science is ultimately God’s work, and God has given wisdom to people to make the earth a better place.
Science and the Church have to work together for the betterment of humanity.” He said that it’s important to appreciate the work of scientists, and that “we have a responsibility to protect not only ourselves but others too”, adding, “a person does a disservice to humanity by refusing to take the vaccine”.
In Mapusa, principal of St Britto’s high school, Fr Simon D’Mello, has also taken his first jab and is awaiting the second.
“We believe that God himself has given us the vaccine for protection, and he has to do this through humans,” he says, specifically addressing Catholics who are reluctant to get vaccinated.
“He has given people the intelligence and wisdom to take care of their own lives.
We believe that vaccines that have come out within such a short period of time are a miracle.
If people are waiting for God, He is already telling them that the vaccine is here, and to protect yourselves.” During the second wave, government statistics revealed that a majority of mortalities were among those who weren’t vaccinated despite many falling in the eligible category.
Although people cannot be forced to get vaccinated, the superior at Carmelite Monastery, Margao, Fr Sylvestre D’Souza, said that God has given people the responsibility to look after themselves.
“We believe everything, even medicine, is a gift from God,” he told TOI.
“We must do whatever is possible and God-given to protect ourselves, and leave the rest to God.
The scriptures too praise medicine as a gift from God.
We must be thankful to God for all these means, and use them to the best of our ability.” In Assolna, parish priest Fr Sertorio Rodrigues, who is diabetic, has gone a step further to tackle vaccine hesitancy, working together with parish council members, volunteers and the panchayat to get as many persons vaccinated and protected as possible.
“God has given us the means of this vaccine so that the pandemic can be wiped off,” he said.
“It’s better to stay safe.
We must put our trust in God, but at the same time, we cannot be jumping into the river saying God will protect us.”