CNN Priest Says Unvaccinated Shouldn’t Come to Church on Christmas – Opinion

Many will celebrate Jesus’ birth in the church over the next 2 days. It is one of most joyful times of year.

But a CNN religion commentator, Roman Catholic priest Fr. Edward Beck, has some thoughts on the subject that seem contrary to everything I learned about the love of one’s neighbor as a Catholic. He’s telling people to stay home, effectively telling them they are not welcome in the Church — on one of the most important days of celebration for Catholics — if they are unvaccinated.

Yep. It was what I meant. 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

As a youngster, I was taught that the doors of the Church were always open to all, regardless of their beliefs, circumstances, or sins. This is a fact that’s been proven true, but it is also one of its greatest historical features: everyone is welcome.

This sounds like Fr. Beck doesn’t understand the Church that way and has been spending more time studying at the knee of CNN. He believes churches should require vaccination for entry and that it’s a “social responsibility” of people to get vaccinated, if they are to follow Jesus and “Love thy neighbor.”

First of all, claiming to know Jesus’ mind is a difficult place and a little presumptuous. Yes, Jesus did preach, “Love thy neighbor.” But that doesn’t sound at all like ‘Encourage them to stay away if you don’t like the actions they take,’ which is what Beck is pushing. You don’t “show mercy” to each other by demonizing your neighbor.

I might think he has a “social responsibility” to not be on a network like CNN that seems to have issues with people who have sexual allegations against them — from their fired former anchors to their fired former producers. The misinformation the network continually disseminates is another reason. But if I were a priest affiliated with a church, I still wouldn’t deny him entry to that church for the poor choices he has made. When you start doing that, you aren’t preaching “love thy neighbor.”

But Beck didn’t leave it there, after people pushed back against what he said. His cause was further hampered by his comparison of the unvaccinated to leprosy.

All the talk of Jesus’ treatment for lepers. They were CURED by Jesus! He didn’t tell them to go rub against other people and transmit their leprosy. Covid is curable by vaccinations. #GetVaxxed

— Father Edward Beck (@FrEdwardBeck) December 24, 2021

All unvaccinated people are your neighbor, Fr. Beck, and you don’t seem to be showing much love to them. It’s not wise to try to make Jesus into a justification for propaganda. He should also know that the vaccinated can spread the virus, but they’re acceptable in Beck’s mind because they’ve complied with the proper edicts.

This type of mentality is harmful and can lead to people being disillusioned. No, it isn’t the Church of CNN propaganda. Notice while he says he wants to impose this on people, churches aren’t doing what he is suggesting; the churches are open to the unvaccinated, despite what Beck wants.

2 Timothy 1:7 God hasn’t given us fear but power, love, and a sound head.