Madrid, Spain, Jan 6, 2022 / 15:19 pm
The Spanish bishops conference has said that a news report indicating priests not vaccinated against COVID-19 would be barred from ministry was a hoax.
The report appeared on a day that is observed in Spain much like April Fools’ Day.
Alerta Digital reported Dec. 28 that Cardinal Juan José Omella of Barcelona, president of the Spanish bishops’ conference, said: "The episcopal conference decrees that only priests vaccinated according to all the guidelines will be able to exercise the ministry.”
The Alerta Digital report also said that priests reluctant to be "vaccinated will have thirty days to receive the usual inoculation" and that if they do not comply "they will be severely warned and subsequently sanctioned with the suspension of their pastoral assignment and their salary.”