These pastors use science and scripture to combat vaccine hesitancy The role of church leaders in vaccination efforts Replay Video UP NEXT Once the coronavirus outbreak rocked Pittsburgh's historically Black neighborhoods, Father Paul Abernathy knew that when a COVID-19 vaccine arrived, it would be time to swap his pulpit for the streets in order to convince residents to take the vaccine. Father Paul, as he's known to members of St. Moses the Black Orthodox church, donned a yellow neon vest over his Roman collar and began walking door-to-door, infusing faith into his plea for residents to take the vaccine. "This is very important," he said to one hesitant neighbor as he knocked on doors in Pittsburgh's predominantly African-American Hill District. "Sometimes when we pray, he gives us blessing by way of medicine, by way of vaccines."