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Catholic Church calls for vaccination exemption

THE Tasmanian government has slapped down a plea from the Catholic Church for priests to be able to conscientiously object to vaccinations and still enter aged care homes.

Tasmania’s Catholics have joined a national call for clarification on exemption for clergy, but Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff’s response was unequivocal.

“There will be no exemption,” he said.

Pope Francis has launched an appeal for people to get vaccinated, calling it “an act of love” but the Australian Catholic Medical Association is applying pressure on the Prime Minister to bend the rules.

TASMANIA’S Health Minister has rejected pressure from the Catholic Church for priests who have an objection to getting the Covid-19 vaccine to still be allowed to provide ministry in aged-care homes.

Local Catholics have joined a national call for clarification on exemptions for clergy.

But Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said there was no recognition of conscientious objection in existing directions.

“There will be no exemptions. It is my understanding that many church leaders strongly support the use of vaccinations and that they can be used in good conscience,” Mr Rockliff said.

“As has been consistently seen interstate and across the world, aged-care homes are especially vulnerable to the serious impacts of Covid-19.”

Pope Francis has launched a powerful appeal for people to get vaccinated calling it “an act of love”.

But the Australian Catholic Medical Association is applying pressure on the Prime Minister and state health ministers for governments and health care agencies to “respect and protect freedom of conscience” and the “legitimacy of conscientious objection”.

Tasmanian Archbishop Julian Porteous this week asked the state government to clarify its position, but has not yet heard back. From September 17, those who work in aged-care homes, including those who come into the home to provide services other than gardening and maintenance, must have at least made a booking for their first dose of the vaccine.

ACMA’s Reverend Dr Paschal Corby said “no one should be coerced to receive any vaccine” and that “vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation”.

Archbishop Porteous – who has received his two doses of the vaccine – said in a letter to clergy that he was obligated to respect the decision of those members of the clergy who had a conscientious objection.

The church’s call has perplexed health professionals and those who represent workers in the aged-care sector.

“This call for priests to be exempted is extremely odd. The reality is every aged-care worker and everyone who enters and leaves the premises should be under the same rules,” Health and Community Services Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said.

AMA Tasmania president Dr Helen McArdle said with Covid-19-infected frontline workers furloughed across mainland states, as well as several clusters being linked to hospitals and aged-care facilities, the AMA supported mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers.

TASMANIA has hit a key vaccination target ahead of schedule as part of a six-week blitz to get more people jabbed.

More than 63 per cent of eligible Tasmanians have now received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination, the figure aspired to be reached by mid-September.

Announced on August 13, Operation Delta Shield has reached its target several days early due to record vaccination rates.

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said more than 120,000 doses had been administered since the start of the campaign.

Almost 65 per cent of eligible Tasmanians have now received their first dose and more than 47 per cent are fully vaccinated, compared with a national average of 40 per cent for those fully vaccinated.

The rate of those aged between 30 and 59 with a first dose of the vaccine — one of the key targets of the latest blitz — has been boosted from 49 per cent to 61 per cent.

Further super vaccination clinics will be staged this weekend – in Burnie on Saturday and Sunday, and Hobart on Sunday.