Why do Texas Catholic schools not allow waivers of conscience while Texas public schools allow them?   That seems to be at odds with the USCCB position on the matter which says " In particular, in an area where public schools are granting a conscience exemption, based on the view of public health authorities that doing so does not pose a serious risk to the population, Catholic institutions should be willing to do so as well." from this document - https://www.usccb.org/resources/PL%20Secretariat%20Vaccines-Conscience-Exemption-updated-April-2015_0.pdf

Furthermore, in a recent Vatican note on using vaccines states: "At the same time, practical reason makes evident that vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation and that, therefore, it must be voluntary."      Full document here:  https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20201221_nota-vaccini-anticovid_en.html 

In some other states, religious waivers or waivers of conscience are allowed.   In Kansas, which has strict governmental vaccine requirements, Catholic schools accept waivers:  https://qhrwea.school/documents/2021/3/Archdiocese%20Religous%20Immunization%20Exemption.pdf
 In New Jersey, they recognize a parent's right for religious waivers:  https://dioceseoftrenton.org/news/information-on-vaccination-policy-in-the-catholic-schools-of-the-diocese-of-trenton-1

As a family, we make this decision to selectively vaccinate after much discernment and prayer.  I am having a difficult time understanding the Bishop's unwillingness to allow religious exemptions.   Data shows that in Texas, the percentage of non-medical waivers in public schools is around 2%.   This does not significantly impact the level of "herd" immunity that public health strives to achieve.  

I urge that all Bishops reconsider this policy that forces families to choose between their deeply held pro-life conscience and a Catholic education.