So many of you have written asking questions about vaccinations- particularly Varicella (chickenpox) and the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccines.

There has been concern in the Catholic community about these vaccines containing aborted fetal tissue. Let me clarify this for you.

In the 1960s, tissue from two aborted fetuses was used to begin reproducing viruses used in the chickenpox and MMR vaccines. The controversy comes from the fact that the fetal tissue was used. Many peopled errantly believe that actual tissue is injected into children when they are vaccinated. This is not true. The cell lines are only used to reproduce the viruses.

This poses an ethical and moral dilemma for many Catholics. Some feel that by using the vaccines, researchers will be encouraged to use other aborted fetal tissue. This has not happened. Others feel that it is unethical to use the vaccines because the viruses have been grown in tissue that has descended from these two aborted fetuses.

I am opposed to abortion. I understand the ethical and moral concerns over the vaccines, but I do use them. Here’s why. I feel that we have an obligation to keep our living children healthy and since we have no…