Federal employees who claim a religious exemption to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate could end up on a proposed federal database, the Washington Times reported.

The federal Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and at least seven other agencies are setting up “personal religious information” databases, that would include the names of those seeking religious exemption, the story said.

The proposal is prompting criticism from some religious organizations.

"This proposal to make a list of everyone who dares to exercise their First Amendment rights is one of the most grotesque actions ever  proposed by a federal agency," said Josh Mercer, CatholicVote political director.

About 10% of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees, about 7,300 workers, have sought vaccine exemptions, with nearly 5,000 in the Department of Interior, 1,000 at NASA and nearly 1,000 at the Department of Defense, Government Executive reported.

The purpose of the database is to "collect, maintain, use and—to the extent appropriate and  necessary—disseminate employee religious exception request information collected by the Agency," according to an entry in the Federal Registry for the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia. "PSA will use the information in processing religious accommodation requests and to determine the appropriate health and safety protocols for employees in the context of the federally mandated COVID-19 vaccination. The secured electronic file repository enables PSA to log, track and manage employee religious exception request information while leveraging technology to protect and secure the privacy of the records maintained in the system."

A survey by the Public Religion Research Institute and Interfaith Youth Core survey found 51% of Americans support the right to religious exemptions to vaccines, 60% say there aren't any valid religious reasons to decline vaccination, and 59% said too many are relying on faith to request an exemption, the Seattle Times reported.

No major religion has denounced the COVID-19 vaccines, NPR reported.

"Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love," Pope Francis said in a video message released in August, NPR reported. "And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love."