A CNN religious commentator called Father Edward Beck said he doesn’t think unvaccinated people should be gathering in church for Christmas services. Beck called for churches to require attendees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“I think that what we’re trying to say to people is that you have a social responsibility, if you do gather — you know, Christian churches, many are gathering this evening, and some are still not requiring vaccination, which I disagree with,” Beck said. “I think that part of caring for one another, you know, the dictum of Jesus, who we celebrate His birth, is ‘love one another, show compassion, show mercy to each other.’ So I think the message is that if we want to act like Jesus in these kind of times, we take care of each other.
“It’s not about us. You know, I don’t think there’s any reason to say, ‘I’m not going to get vaccinated today’ — you know, maybe a health reason, but then you can’t come to church, be at services with other people right now. We have a responsibility to one another.”
Beck doubled down on Twitter:
Yep. I said it. I don’t think unvaccinated people should be gathering in churches for Christmas Eve / Day Masses. “Love thy neighbor,” says the Savior. @EricaRHill @jimsciutto @NewDay @cnn pic.twitter.com/3iCghHpV4I
— Father Edward Beck (@FrEdwardBeck) December 24, 2021