The archdiocese insists the decision is informed by guidance from the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, although those institutions have not yet issued statements discouraging use of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The cardinal called it “a great honor and privilege” to offer the prayer at the invitation of Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent, on the program “We Remember 500,000: A National Memorial Service for Covid-19.”

It is morally irresponsible for churches to invite people to worship and receive the sacraments without taking all effective steps to minimize risk.

In the wake of the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy said it expects a multimillion-dollar deficit.

Catholic school enrollment dropped by 111,000 last year. But at St. Joseph, a small Catholic school in Anderson, S.C., the student body has nearly doubled.

Joyce Christian understands firsthand why many Black people and other people of color are hesitant and mistrust the medical community.