For this reason, letters of exemption for the vaccination against the coronavirus for religious purposes issued by priests of the Archdiocese of America have no validity, and furthermore, no clergy are to issue such religious exemption letters for any reason.” Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America stated that while some people may have medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine, “there is no exemption in the Orthodox Church for Her faithful from any vaccination for religious reasons, including the coronavirus vaccine. The Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Orthodox Union have all released multiple statements supporting vaccination. Honduran Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, and Salvadorian Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez have ALL supported the approved vaccines and believe the decision to not get vaccinated affects others and it is our moral responsibility. Other major Catholic leaders have embraced the vaccine and advocated for their members to become fully vaccinated. He calls it “an act of love” and added that the vaccine would “bring hope to end the pandemic, but only if they are available to all and if we collaborate with one another.” Pope Francis has publicly urged Catholics, as well as all citizens, to get vaccinated. Individuals of the Dutch Reformed Church decline vaccines because it interferes with divine providence and the Church of Christ, Scientist, teaches that prayer will alleviate and prevent disease however, neither discourage vaccination. Religious Leaders Support the COVID VaccineĮven before President Joe Biden announced that companies with more than 100 employees must mandate their workers be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing, major religious leaders around the world openly supported and encouraged the COVID vaccine.Ĭurrently, the Dutch Reformed Church and Church of Christ, Scientist are the only two major religions that have not openly supported vaccination, including the COVID vaccine. It also allows employers to question the sincerity of an individual’s religious beliefs. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers who have sincerely held religious beliefs. As a result, the first compulsory vaccination law was enacted.Īdditionally, the right to request a religious exemption allows stems from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects workers from discrimination on the basis of religion. In the early 19th century, states began to institute the first vaccine mandates to help stop the spread of smallpox. It is at the discretion of each individual healthcare institution if any employees are awarded a religious exemption. Currently, there is no federal or state law regarding religious exemptions to any vaccination. The reality is - the increase in requests for a religious exemption to the COVID vaccine is also rising in schools, universities, and other places of employment. However, since the implementation (and requirement) of the COVID vaccine at healthcare facilities around the country, the number of individuals applying for religious exemptions has skyrocketed. Long before the development of the COVID vaccine, many healthcare workers would ask for religious exemptions to the annual flu vaccine, TDaP vaccine, as well as other mandatory vaccinations.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |