A federal judge has temporarily shielded four orders of Catholic nuns from New York's recently enacted assisted suicide law, a decision that comes as the nuns challenge the legislation in court, arguing it compels religious healthcare providers to violate their faith.
The lawsuit, filed in July, asserts that New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act forces religious healthcare providers to counsel terminally ill patients about physician-assisted suicide, make referrals to participating providers, and potentially accommodate the practice within their facilities. The law, signed in February, permits adults 18 and older with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication.
Adèle Keim, a senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty representing the nuns, stated that the case extends beyond end-of-life care and questions whether the government can force religious organizations to act against their core tenets. "If you care about freedom, you should care about this case, because if the government can force its way into a home that's been owned and operated by a group of Catholic nuns for 150 years and order the nuns around and tell them what they can do, there's nothing that that government's not going to try to force its way into," Keim told Fox News Digital.
A federal judge ruled on July 30 that the nuns would not be required to comply with the law while their legal challenge is litigated. The plaintiffs include the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and Catholic Health.
Keim emphasized that the nuns are seeking to provide care according to their Catholic faith, which does not permit assisted suicide. She argued that forcing them to offer such services curtails choice rather than increasing it, particularly for residents and families who chose these homes specifically for their Catholic-based care.
A spokesperson for New York Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted that the law took effect on Wednesday, noting that participation is voluntary and religious facilities have the right to opt out. The governor's office also stated that the Department of Health is working on regulations to implement the law thoughtfully and responsibly.
Keim indicated that the court is expected to consider arguments from both sides and issue an initial ruling within the next two to six months. "We're hoping it'll be good news," she said.
