Archbishop says troops shouldn't have to follow military COVID-19 vaccine mandate. But what does the pope say?

The Archbishop for the Military Services said Catholic U.S. service members who object to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine based on their conscience should not be punished.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said in prepared statement on Tuesday “no one should be forced to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if it would violate the sanctity of his or her conscience.”

At the same time, he affirmed Vatican guidance that the COVID-19 vaccine is morally permissible within the faith. That, however, does not mean a Catholic could not form “a sincerely held religious belief that receiving the vaccine would violate his conscience. It does not,” he said.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered U.S. service members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they receive an exemption. Those who refuse could be discharged.

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