Florida AG Urges Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations in Voucher-Funded Catholic Schools
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has sent a letter to the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, urging them to grant religious exemptions for student vaccinations in Catholic schools that accept state-funded vouchers. Uthmeier cited Catholic doctrine and Vatican statements to…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 3, 2026 —
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has formally requested that the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops advise Catholic schools accepting state-funded vouchers to provide religious exemptions for student vaccinations.
In a letter addressed to the bishops, Uthmeier asserted that requiring vaccinations may conflict with Catholic doctrine. He referenced statements from the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to support the argument that mandatory vaccinations are not a moral obligation for individuals.
The Attorney General emphasized that Florida law requires schools receiving state voucher funds to comply with existing exemption policies. Failure to offer such exemptions, Uthmeier indicated, could jeopardize these schools’ eligibility for state voucher programs, which provide financial assistance to students for private school tuition.
Uthmeier’s communication aims to ensure that Catholic schools align with state regulations concerning exemptions, thereby protecting their access to critical funding streams. The letter highlights a specific interpretation of religious tenets and state law as it pertains to student health requirements in educational institutions that utilize public funds.
Story summarized from the original created by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.
