San Diego Catholic Diocese Speaks Out Against Religious Exemptions For COVID-19 Vaccine

(San Diego, CA) — Priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego will not be allowed to sign off on parishioner’s requests for religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine. Kevin Eckery, a spokesman for the diocese, says church leaders don’t support the exemption. This week Bishop Robert McElroy issued a letter to San Diego priests asking them to decline any requests for religious exemptions to vaccines. This after the state recently issued new vaccine requirements but allowed for some exemptions, including those based on religious convictions. Bishop McElroy also spoke out against a letter from Roman Catholic Bishops in Colorado which said vaccines could not be morally obligated, saying his colleagues’ statement ignores the common good. Diocesan spokesman Kevin Eckery says there’s no religious basis for an exemption.  Father Bernardo Lara says the church is encouraging folks to get vaccinated.