Statement on Behalf of Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, on the Need for Continued Pandemic Vigilance and Vaccination
We are now more than two years into a time of loss and illness, unprecedented in living memory. Everyone is weary but we must call upon our reserves to remain diligent and take every precaution to keep ourselves and communities safe. Moreover, we must respect and support the heroes among us, our health care and other frontline workers. Keeping ourselves safe keeps them safe and ensures facilities remain open to those who need them.
If you have not done so, get vaccinated and help others, particularly children to access the vaccine. Consult with your health care providers, but trust in the experience of the millions who have been vaccinated. The evidence is clear: vaccination prevents serious illness and death.
Please wear a mask every time you leave your home and inside your home if there are vulnerable individuals in your family.
Please remember that in pandemics, personal choices are not personal. You are making choices for your community and it is irresponsible to endanger others.
As Pope Francis has said, “Vaccination is a simple but profound way of promoting the common good and caring for each other, especially the most vulnerable.”
Please go to vaccines.gov for information on protecting yourself and your family, including where vaccines are available.
