-
-
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See
Bishop Of Sioux City
DECREE EXTENDING THE DISPENSATION FROM THE OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS ON SUNDAYS AND HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.JUDGING THAT A JUST AND REASONABLE CAUSE is present, namely, the protection of the health of the faithful, with particular solicitude for the most vulnerable, and the limited seating capacity at the churches throughout the Diocese due to the observance of recommended social distancing measures by health authorities, and considering carefully the spiritual good of the people of God entrusted to my care (can. 87 §1),
after taking into account the circumstances and the gravity of the law from which this dispensation is given (can. 90 §§1, 2),I decree that the faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City are dispensed from the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation until, after hearing the advice of the members of the Diocesan COVID-19 Task Force, I deem it appropriate to lift this dispensation.
Although the faithful are dispensed from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, they are still obliged to keep holy the Lord’s Day (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2168-2195); it is especially recommended to engage in prayer, either personally or as a family (cf, can. 1248 §2), for example, by devoutly following a broadcast of the Sunday Mass by television, internet, or radio, by praying the Liturgy of the Hours, or by praying of the Rosary. Parishes are encouraged to continue to broadcast the Holy Mass by use of the various means of social communications in order to maximize accessibility to the faithful.With immediate effect.
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given in Sioux City on December 10, 2020, Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
Deacon David Lopez, Ph.D.
Chancellor
-
SU EXCELENCIA
Reverendísimo R. Walker Nickless
Por la gracia de Dios y la autoridad de la Sede Apostólica
Obispo de Sioux CityDECRETO EXTENDIENDO LA DISPENSACIÓN DE LA OBLIGACIÓN DE ASISTIR A MISA LOS DOMINGOS Y LOS DÍAS SANTOS DE OBLIGACIÓN HASTA NUEVO AVISO.
CONSIDERANDO QUE EXISTE UNA CAUSA JUSTA Y RAZONABLE, a saber, la protección de la salud de los fieles, con especial solicitud por los más vulnerables,
y la capacidad limitada de asientos en las iglesias en toda la Diócesis debido a la observancia de las medidas de distanciamiento social recomendadas por las autoridades de salud,y considerando atentamente el bien espiritual del pueblo de Dios confiado a mi cuidado (c. 87 § 1), después de tener en cuenta las circunstancias y la gravedad de la ley de la que se da esta dispensación (c. 90 §§1, 2),
Decreto que los fieles de la Diócesis de Sioux City están dispensados de la obligación de asistir a la Santa Misa los domingos y otros Días Santos de Obligación hasta que, después de escuchar el consejo de los miembros del Equipo Especial Diocesano COVID-19, lo estime apropiado para levantar esta dispensación.
Aunque los fieles están dispensados de la obligación dominical de asistir a misa, todavía están obligados a santificar el Día del Señor (Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 2168-2195); Se recomienda especialmente dedicarse a la oración, ya sea personalmente o en familia (cfr. can. 1248 § 2), por ejemplo, siguiendo con devoción una transmisión de la misa dominical por televisión, internet o radio, rezando la liturgia de las Horas, o rezando el Rosario. Se anima a las parroquias a que sigan difundiendo la Santa Misa mediante el uso de los diversos medios de comunicación social para maximizar la accesibilidad de los fieles.Con efecto inmediato.
A pesar de todo lo contrario.
Dado en Sioux City el 10 de diciembre de 2020, Memorial de Nuestra Señora de Loreto.
Reverendísimo R. Walker Nickless
Obispo de Sioux City
Diácono David López, Ph.D.
Canciller
-
-
Iowa Bishops release statement on COVID-19 vaccines
-
There is encouraging news about the development and distribution of vaccines against the coronavirus. Thanks be to God.
Some people have concerns about the safety of the vaccine on account of the speed of its development and of FDA approval.
In this regard, experts explain that the speed is a testimony to scientific advances that turned years into months without compromising safety and scientific integrity.
Some people are concerned, too, about the risk of side effects. There is no scientifically proven link between vaccines and other conditions, such as autism.
It is not uncommon to experience minor side effects from being vaccinated. People may feel temporarily uncomfortable, but the benefit from the vaccine exceeds any burden.
Finally, there is troubling news that some drug companies used cell lines from the fetal tissue of an aborted baby in the design, development and production of their vaccines.
In response, the USCCB Committees on Pro-life and Doctrine had this to say:
People may in good conscience use the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna, which made only limited use of those unethical cell lines (for lab testing of the vaccine).
Morally speaking, the vaccine offered by these two companies is relatively remote from the evil of abortion, and so need not trouble anyone’s conscience to use either one.
In contrast, some other companies use a cell line from the fetal tissue of an aborted baby in the design, development, production, and lab testing of their COVID vaccines.
If possible, those vaccines should not be used. If there is no alternative available, however, people may in good faith use them against the serious health risk of COVID.
The common good of public health takes precedence over any reservation about being treated with vaccines; they will not be effective if people do not use them.
-
Most Rev. Michael Jackels
Archbishop of Dubuque
Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula
Bishop of Davenport
Most Rev. William Joensen
Bishop of Des Moines
-
Hay noticias alentadoras sobre el desarrollo y la distribución de vacunas contra el coronavirus. Gracias a Dios.
Algunas personas están preocupadas sobre la seguridad de la vacuna debido a la velocidad de su desarrollo y de la aprobación de la FDA.
En este sentido, los expertos explican que la rapidez es un testimonio de los avances científicos que convirtieron años en meses sin comprometer la seguridad y la integridad científica.
Algunas personas también están preocupadas por el riesgo de efectos secundarios. No existe un vínculo científicamente comprobado entre las vacunas y otras condiciones, como el autismo.
No es raro experimentar efectos secundarios menores después de ser vacunado. Las personas pueden sentirse temporalmente incómodas, pero el beneficio de la vacuna excede cualquier molestia.
Por último, hay noticias preocupantes de que algunas compañías farmacéuticas utilizaron células del tejido fetal de un bebé abortado en el diseño, desarrollo y producción de sus vacunas.
En respuesta, los Comités de la USCCB de Pro-vida y Doctrina comunicaron lo siguiente:
Las personas pueden utilizar en buena conciencia las vacunas producidas por Pfizer y Moderna, que sólo hicieron un uso limitado de esas líneas celulares poco éticas (para las pruebas de laboratorio de la vacuna).
Moralmente hablando, la vacuna ofrecida por estas dos compañías está relativamente alejada del mal del aborto, por lo que no es necesario molestar a la conciencia de nadie al usar cualquiera de las dos.
Por el contrario, algunas otras compañías utilizan una línea celular del tejido fetal de un bebé abortado en el diseño, desarrollo, producción y pruebas de laboratorio de sus vacunas COVID-19.
Si es posible, esas vacunas no deben utilizarse. Sin embargo, si no hay alternativa disponible, las personas pueden utilizarlas de buena fe contra el grave riesgo para la salud de COVID-19.
El bien común de la salud pública tiene prioridad sobre cualquier reserva sobre el tratamiento con vacunas; no serán eficaces si la gente no los usa
-
-
-
racism and violence
I join our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and my brother bishops, and all men and women of good will, in condemning once again the persistent evil of racism. The recent death of George Floyd, unjust and unnecessary as it so patently was, is merely one more example, calling out to God for justice.
Prejudice based on race assaults the God-given dignity of the persons against whom it is directed. It also corrodes the God-imitating capacity to love freely in the hearts of those in whom it lurks. I echo the words of Pope Francis in saying, “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost.”
Both worldly justice and the salvation of souls require us, not only to denounce this (and every) sin, but also regularly to examine our own conscience, to repent of our own faults, and, by God’s grace, to teach and model virtue and justice.
Millions of men and women of good will, of every race and creed, strive to live with each other every day, without either racism or violence, not only in moments of magnified publicity, such as the many laudable and peaceful protests against racism across the country in recent days, but also, and more importantly, in the ordinary affairs of life. May God give us all the grace to grow in this way of goodness, freedom, and charity.
-
-