The fateful news of the deaths of four people in Mayagüez, others in a state of care, allegedly influenced by a religious leader not to vaccinate against COVID-19, is a critical matter that has social, ethical and religious consequences. Jesus summed up his teaching in two practices: Loving God and others. The Christian leadership has a responsibility to instruct those two facets that conducive to life and pursue the common good. COVID-19 is deadly, leaves unemployed communities, increases domestic violence, delays education. Ethical response from faith cannot be based on our individualism, but on the common good. The quality and degree of care we have with others is a direct reflection of Christian values. The alternatives that have saved lives and restored livelihood in the past are the choice when it comes to human beings in the face of an unexpected pandemic. The exercise of religious freedom does not include the right to imply or encourage harmful activities such as spreading contagious diseases. Any religious leader who suggests an action that affects his life, freedom or dignity is misrepresenting the principles and lessons of faith to which he claims to belong. We seldom stop to think about community health problems, self-absorbed in our individual evil. But from the Christian faith “my” health can only be understood as part of “our” health. This pandemic is a reminder that health care is not a private good. It must stop and question us how far our ethical responsibility as religious leaders goes with the lives or death of our communities. Our responsibility is also to the lives of those who refuse to take the necessary medical precautions or receive the vaccine, as well as to those who are denied a bed or a fan, even when they risk their health and others. As believers we understand that divine grace is mediated through the reality of our life experience. Every time we share bread and wine as a community at the table, we affirm the value of life. As a society, we must keep in mind that no religious leader owns an absolute truth to which no criticism or reflection can be made. This is how war conflicts are justified, forcible offal of territories, genocides, murders, acts of terror and collective suicides occurred in Jonestown, Guyana, and Waco, Texas. Any religious leader who suggests an action that affects his life, freedom or dignity is misrepresenting the principles and lessons of faith to which he claims to belong. Our ethical duty requires us actions to ensure that the most vulnerable people have access to this health care and to raise awareness that the destruction of nature and consequent loss of biodiversity are causes that are at the root of this and any another potential pandemic. Speaking on behalf of the one who said, “I am Life,” gives us the opportunity to use our influence to counteract the misinformation, denialism, and fake news they kill. Let's promote the common good and remember those who congregate in our temples that loving others includes protecting their health and their life by promoting social justice. —Agustina Luvis Núñez Theologian and Teacher Evangelical Seminary in Puerto Rico
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January 2023
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