The Archbishop for the Military Services says that troops should be able to refuse the Covid-19 vaccine on religious grounds. In a memo, Timothy P. Broglio said that troops that view the Covid-19 vaccine as a direct conflict with their religious beliefs due to how it is produced should be able to refuse the shot.

Townhall reports:

“The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were tested using an abortion derived cell line,” the statement reads. “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was developed, tested, and is produced, with abortion-derived cell lines. That vaccine is, therefore, more problematic. If it were the only vaccine available, it would be morally permissible, but the faithful Catholic is to make known his or her preference for a more morally acceptable treatment.”

Later on in the statement, Broglio added that “no one should be forced to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if it would violate the sanctity of his or her conscience,” and emphasized that choosing not to get the vaccine is a religious freedom that is protected by the First Amendment.

“The denial of religious accommodations, or punitive or adverse personnel actions taken against those who raise earnest, conscience-based objections, would be contrary to federal law and morally reprehensible,” Broglio continued in his statement. However, he notes that those who choose not to get vaccinated must “continue to act in charity for their neighbors and for the common good by undertaking means to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through wearing face coverings, social distancing, undergoing routine testing, quarantining, and remaining open to receiving a treatment should one become available that is not derived from, or tested with abortion-derived cell lines.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced in August that the Covid-19 vaccine will be mandatory for all U.S. military members, the decision drew sharp criticism from Americans and lawmakers.