South Dakota’s two Catholic bishops say people should be able to get a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine if their decision is based on a “sincere religious belief.”
The bishops shared their views in a joint statement posted to the dioceses’ websites.
Bishop Donald DeGrood from Sioux Falls and Bishop Peter Muhich from Rapid City say vaccines raise issues surrounding Catholic teachings about consent, one’s conscience, religious freedom and abortion.
The bishops support Catholics seeking religious exemptions as long as they came to their decision after considering these principles.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain aborted fetal cells or tissue. But Pfizer and Moderna tested its vaccines on fetal cell lines, or cells grown in labs that descend from decades-old abortions. Johnson and Johnson used fetal cell lines to develop, test and produce its vaccine.
The bishops’ statement differs from those made by Pope Francis, who believes “morally, everyone must take the vaccine” since it affects everyone’s health. The Catholic Health Association is pushing the vaccine and some Catholic hospitals are mandating it.
The CDC and South Dakota Department of Health say people who are 12 and older should get vaccinated unless they have certain health conditions. Medical experts say vaccination is the best way to protect oneself and end the pandemic.