New York archdiocese sued for excluding unvaccinated pre-schooler

December 28, 2009

The New York archdiocese is being sued by a couple who charge that they have suffered discrimination because of their pro-life beliefs. The couple say that their daughter has been denied entrance into an archdiocesan pre-school program because she has not received all required vaccinations. The family (whose name is being withheld to protect the girl’s privacy) say that they have a moral objection to the use of vaccines derived from fetal tissues. The New York archdiocese requires all schoolchildren to receive vaccinations.

In 2005 the Vatican condemned the use of vaccinations derived from fetal tissues, and urged Catholics to press drug companies for alternative vaccines developed from acceptable sources. The Vatican document said that families could be justified in using vaccines from fetal lines if no other medicines were available, but praised those families that fought for alternatives. Earlier this year, Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon, again encouraged parents to protest the use of vaccines derived from fetal tissues.

 

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Further information:

• Vaccine 'holy war' (New York Post)
• Vatican condemns vaccines using fetal tissues (CWN 7/22/2005)
• Oregon bishop urges parents to protest use of vaccines drawn from fetal cells (CWN 3/5/09)