What Does Catholic Theology Say About Vaccine Mandates?

Over the course of the past several weeks, I have been asked for my opinion as a moral theologian on a range of issues connected with the emerging policy mandates around Covid-19 vaccines and mask usage. These requests have come in light of the surge in Covid cases caused by the Delta variant coupled with significant resistance among considerable parts of the population to common-sense public health measures. Some requests came from school administrators, from grade schools to universities, who were wrestling with formulating policies for the new academic year. Others came from those seeking moral analysis on the very public and sharply conflicting positions promulgated either "officially" or through social media by a number of church leaders. Still other requests came from pastors on how to deal with various parishioners presenting form letters originating from an agency whose name misleadingly suggests official sponsorship by the U.S. bishops. Added to this toxic mix is the swirl of Catholic journalistic opinions masquerading as factual reports on the issues involved.