At least here in Wisconsin, ALL clergy are now eligible for the Covid vaccine because we are “part of health care personnel who provide spiritual care to the sick” (see link below). In an immediate sense, this is important not only to clergy personally but also our families and congregations.
It is also an acknowledgement by the state of Wisconsin of the work clergy do in caring for others. Understandably, many clergy were upset when we were told we couldn’t attend to our hospitalized parishioners. This was, for me at least, not an issue since (thank God), none of may parishioners were hospitalized.
At the same time, the inclusion of clergy now suggests that these earlier regulations, however heavy handed and tone deaf these earlier orders were, were not necessarily the result of a bias against religious believers.
Assuming good will of those who disagree with us is essential not only for those of us who represent Christ as priests, ministers, pastors and preachers, but as citizens committed to the common good and the ability of all Americans to live together peacefully.
For me at least the real question is this. How can clergy and elected officials work together to avoid a repeat of our earlier mutual misunderstanding?
In Christ,
+Fr Gregory
WI DHS press release: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/2c7691b