My brothers and sisters in Christ: As your Bishop, I write to you in hope as a pathway for emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic is now clear for our nation. The love of God has accompanied us throughout this painful year of sickness, death, and isolation, and now God has brought us vaccines that can heal us and heal our world.

It is vitally important that all of us receive the COVID vaccine. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are safe and effective. They are fully approved for use at this moment by the teachings of our Church. And as Pope Francis has so clearly taught, receiving the vaccine is not only for ourselves as individuals, it is for everyone that we treasure, to keep them safe and healthy and bring back the joys of life to us all.

A number of parishioners have shared with me in personal conversations their fears of taking the vaccine. All of us must understand that these fears are heartfelt, even if many of them are rooted in misinformation. A webpage we have developed, sdcatholic.org/vaccine… provides you important information and a link to make an appointment to get vaccinated when it is your turn.

Now and in the coming months, the vaccines will be available for every member of our society for free, including those without documents. I pray that you will give this gift of healing for yourself, your families, and to the healing of our world.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bring you a truly blessed Easter!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert W. McElroy Bishop of San Diego

Additional Resources:

1. To find out if you’re eligible for a vaccine and/or be notified when an appointment is available, go to https://myturn.ca.gov/
2. To help find an available vaccination site for you, consider following “Covax SD,” a free Twitter bot available to anyone on Twitter, which helps track down and alert subscribers to open vaccine appointments in the San Diego area. (https://twitter.com/CovaxSd)
3. We received news that CSU San Marcos Supersite location is increasing appointments starting this week for eligible categories. This is an opportunity for you who are eligible to make an appointment there.