Portsmouth: Diocese issues statement rebutting priest's 'anti-vax' messages

Fr George Roth - screen shot

A priest in Portsmouth has caused concern among parishioners after issuing statements suggesting the Covid vaccines were dangerous. Fr George Roth from St Mary's Catholic church in Gosport sent an email and wrote in the parish blog saying the vaccines were 'bio-terrorism', and people 'pushing' vaccinations are conspiring with evil men 'to depopulate our world'.

In a statement, the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth said: 'The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is very disappointed that one of the Family of Mary Immaculate and St Francis in Gosport has publicly expressed a personal view about the Covid vaccination programme that is contrary to the official position of the Catholic Church and the Diocese.

'The matter is being taken very seriously and an investigation is in progress. The Pope has encouraged the take up of the vaccination programme. The Vatican's doctrinal office issued a note last December reinforcing this position saying it is "morally acceptable" for Catholics to take vaccines against the coronavirus. While the Vatican note does not recommend that vaccination against the coronavirus be made mandatory it says "the morality of vaccination depends not only on the duty to protect one's own health, but also on the duty to pursue the common good." In this Diocese Bishop Philip Egan has reinforced that position through publications to the diocese over past months. We would encourage all our parishioners to benefit from the protection afforded by the vaccine.'