By Archbishop Thomas Wenski - The Archdiocese of Miami
You may have seen or heard in the news recently that Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, in a letter sent to the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, challenged our policy of not granting “religious exemptions” to vaccinations for children in our schools.
In his letter, there was also a not-so-veiled threat that if we did not change our policies, our participation in state educational scholarship programs could be put at risk.
This was an unprecedented and unexpected “overreach” by a state official that intrudes upon our religious freedom under the protections afforded us by the First Amendment: The bishops, not a state functionary, decide how to interpret and apply Catholic principles and theology.
Furthermore, the state cannot disqualify Catholic schools from the scholarship program merely because a state official’s understanding of Church teachings differs from that of the bishops.
In subsection 1002.42(2)(h), Florida Statutes, the Florida Legislature expressly states that “[i]t is not the intent of the Legislature to regulate, control, or monitor, expressly or implicitly, churches, their ministries, or religious instruction, freedoms or rites.”
While Florida may enforce valid, neutral eligibility requirements for a state educational scholarship program, it may not condition a Catholic school’s participation on a particular interpretation of its own religious teachings.
Religious freedom, while guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, requires much vigilance: As bishops, we have stood in strong opposition to laws and policies that would force Catholic institutions or Catholic individuals to violate Catholic teachings.
In recent years, we have consistently opposed policies, whether enacted by the federal or state governments, that would force Catholic institutions or individuals to act against their religious beliefs. For example, we have opposed attempts to force our institutions to provide or facilitate access to birth control or abortifacients or to enable euthanasia.
Because of the First Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court has, in a number of decisions, granted robust protection against such state overreach.
The vaccinations in question are required for students by Florida law. Our Catholic schools do not grant “religious exemptions” for student vaccinations because the vaccines as presently developed and administered do not violate Church teachings.
The Church does not force or coerce parents to vaccinate their children. No one must go to a Catholic school. At the same time, we do try to accommodate those children whose physicians indicate that a medical exemption is necessary.
There are presently approximately 95,000 students in our diocesan schools throughout the state. Our vaccination policies are in place to advance the common good. This position is rooted in our Catechism: “Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.
We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.” (CCC §2288) Requiring vaccinations protects those children – including those with medical exemptions – as well as the health and safety of teachers, staff, and parents (including those with unborn children) who interact with our schoolchildren.
We reaffirm the moral responsibility to vaccinate to avoid serious health risks for children and the general population. Our Catholic schools are following the law, and, while we would welcome the opportunity to dialogue with the Attorney General, we are prepared to protect our students, defend our rights, and preserve religious freedom.
