A federal judge has temporarily blocked New York State from enforcing a law that would have compelled Catholic nuns to recommend medically assisted suicide to patients, a practice that conflicts with their religious tenets. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed in late June by four orders of Catholic nuns and several Catholic healthcare ministries who argued the law violated their faith.
Under the state law, which was set to take effect August 5, healthcare providers who declined to prescribe suicide pills could still have been required to inform terminally ill patients of their “right” to end their lives, assist them in meeting the requirements for obtaining such drugs, and direct them to providers willing to prescribe them. Failure to comply could have resulted in significant fines, license revocation, or imprisonment.
Mark Rienzi, president of Becket, a law firm representing the healthcare ministries, stated that forcing Catholic nuns to participate in suicide and restricting faithful, life-affirming care is both unlawful and unjust. Becket successfully petitioned a federal court for an injunction to halt the law before its implementation.
Mother Mary Rose Heery, Prioress General of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, expressed gratitude that the sisters can continue to honor the trust of families by providing tender, dignified, and faithful care until the very end. Sister Justyna Owsiejko of the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict added that their home exists for elderly individuals to spend their final days in peace and prayer, and that assisted suicide will not be forced into their sanctuary.
Bishop John O. Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre called the agreement an important first step toward protecting religious freedom, emphasizing that New York cannot compel the Church to respond to suffering with suicide or abandon the sick and dying. He noted that the temporary agreement allows their ministries to serve every patient according to the Gospel while the legal fight continues, reaffirming the sanctity of every human life until its natural end.
The lawsuit contended that New York’s law violates federal law, which prohibits discrimination against healthcare providers who object to assisted suicide.