Florida Attorney General threatens Catholic school funding over vaccine exemption stance

Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to Florida’s Catholic bishops on July 31, claiming that Catholicism does not provide a legitimate basis for denying religious vaccine exemptions and labeling the schools' position as morally reprehensible. He warned that state-funded scholarships and vouchers could be withheld unless the schools altered their exemption policy. The bishops, who note that Catholic schools in Florida already reject religious exemptions and only allow medically verified ones, issued a public response denouncing Uthmeier’s arguments.

Their reply highlighted the hierarchical nature of the Church, First Amendment religion clauses, state law, and prior court decisions, asserting that the bishops, not the state, determine Catholic doctrine. They also pointed out that the bishops were being courteous in explaining why the attorney general’s stance was incorrect. The exchange underscores a clash between state anti-vaccine measures and religious institutions’ autonomy.