We are writing to express our strong opposition to the recent change in policy regarding religious exemptions for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, particularly with regards to vaccine requirements. As members of the Catholic community, we believe in the importance of religious freedom and individual conscience, which are central to our understanding of the gift of free will from God.

In accordance with the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, individuals have the right to freely exercise their religion. This right has been affirmed by numerous case laws, including Wisconsin v. Yoder, Sherbert v. Verner, and Employment Division v. Smith, which have established that individuals have the right to opt out of mandatory vaccinations for reasons of conscience or religious beliefs.

Furthermore, New Jersey state law, specifically N.J.S.A. 26:1A-9, provides for religious exemptions for mandatory vaccinations. This law recognizes the importance of respecting religious freedom and the right to conscience, and ensures that individuals are able to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being, including vaccines.

Religious exemptions have been long-standing, allowing individuals to opt out of mandatory vaccinations for reasons of conscience or religious beliefs. The use of vaccines developed using fetal cell lines, which are derived from abortions, raises ethical and moral objections for many Catholics and goes against our religious beliefs. The removal of these exemptions threatens to infringe on our right to freely practice our religion and raises serious questions about accountability and respect for religious freedom.

Free will is a central tenet of the Catholic faith, and it is essential that we are able to make informed decisions about our own health and well-being, including vaccines. This includes the right to opt out of vaccinations for sincerely held religious beliefs, without fear of discrimination or infringement on our rights.

We strongly urge you to reverse this decision and comply with both the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and New Jersey state law by reinstating religious exemptions for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton. This will demonstrate a commitment to respecting religious freedom and the right to conscience, and ensure that individuals are able to freely exercise the gift of free will from God.