Requests rise at Catholic churches for COVID-19 vaccine exemptions

As the list of companies mandating employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine grows, so does the number of people claiming religious exemptions.

Over the last few weeks, several churches in the Twin Cities have received requests from people asking for a religious exemption to not get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Parishes we spoke with tell us they are not granting the request.

"Our response as a parish is to hear them out, acknowledge their request and their concern and let them know that we are unable to do so," said Rhonda Miska with the Church of St. Timothy in Blaine. "Fundamentally as a Roman Catholic Church — given the direction of the U.S. bishops, given the direction of Pope Francis — as a Catholic parish, we’re not able to provide that for people and be in keeping with the mind of the Church."

In a recent video, Pope Francis urged Catholics to get vaccinated as "an act of love for oneself, love for our families and friends, and all peoples."