Poughkeepsie City Court Judge Frank Mora sued New York’s court system on Wednesday over its decision to deny him a religious exemption from the system’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Because of Mora’s refusal to vaccinate himself against COVID-19, which he described as being rooted in his Catholicism, he “remains in exile” from the courthouse and is “barred from his courtroom,” according to the lawsuit.
Mora explains that he has “sincerely held religious beliefs which prohibit him from subjecting a healthy body to vaccinations and views such a practice as contrary to God’s commandments as reflect in scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”
Because of his refusal to get vaccinated, contravening the court system’s mandate that was rolled out in August 2021, Mora was prohibited from entering any New York state courthouse, including his own. His duties were also sharply curtailed, limited to overseeing civil cases remotely and issuing opinions in certain criminal matters. Though the mandate, which applies to all judges and non-judicial staff, allows individuals to request a legitimate medical or religious exemption, Mora says his request was denied without explanation.
Editor’s Note: Meanwhile, another NY unvaxed judge, Jenny Rivera in October 2021 refused the jab and applying for a medical or religious exemption. She was allowed to sign onto meeting from home and the staff said, “We do not discuss the personal health information of anyone.” We see major hypocrisies with these mandates. — mmd