Catholic nuns sue New York over assisted suicide law

Catholic nuns are suing New York over its assisted suicide law, arguing that it forces them to violate their religious beliefs.

Key Takeaways:

• Several Catholic plaintiffs, including multiple religious sisters, are suing the state of New York over its soon-to-be-enacted Medical Aid in Dying Act.

• The plaintiffs argue that the law will compel them to inform the sick and dying that they have the option to commit assisted suicide, force them to refer patients for assisted suicide, and potentially even allow assisted suicide to be carried out in their facilities, against their religious beliefs.

• The lawsuit alleges that the law violates the groups' First Amendment rights.

The Details:

In a lawsuit filed on Friday, 10 Catholic plaintiffs, including 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, argued that New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act forces them to violate their religious beliefs. They say that the law compels them to counsel patients who are deemed 'terminally ill' about assisted suicide, make referrals to doctors willing to carry out assisted suicide, and even allow assisted suicide deaths to be carried out in their facilities.

"New York has put the Sisters to a stark choice: either abandon their religious beliefs regarding the sanctity of life or face significant fines and penalties," the lawsuit reads. "Through its euphemistically-named Medical Aid in Dying Act, which builds upon requirements in the Palliative Care Information Act, New York has conscripted even religious healthcare providers and institutions to participate in the provision of physician-assisted suicide."

New York defines 'terminal illness or condition' as "an illness or condition which can reasonably be expected to cause death within six months, whether or not treatment is provided."

As reported by Fox News, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne run Rosary Hill Home, where they provide end-of-life care for individuals regardless of their faith or background. Over the years, they have served 45,000 people in their final days.

Mother Marie Edward, O.P., Superior General of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, said, "For over 125 years, we have ministered to the poor who are dying of cancer as if they were Christ Himself. Our calling is to offer comfort, prayer, and loving medical care to those in their final days—not death."

She added, "We pray the court will protect our freedom to remain faithful to that ministry God has entrusted to us."

Likewise, Mother Mary Rose Heery, O. Carm., prioress general of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, said in a statement, "At our homes, we bring Christ's unbounded love to elderly New Yorkers of every background and walk of life. We strive to bring His compassion to those entrusted to our care, ensuring that no resident ever has to die alone. This law strikes at the heart of that vocation."

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is representing the Carmelite Sisters, the Dominican Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, and the Little Sisters of the Poor, as well as Bishop John O. Barres and the Diocese of Rockville Centre in the case. President of the Becket Fund, Mark Rienzi, said in a statement, "New York is forcing sick and dying people to consider suicide at their lowest moment, regardless of whether they ask for it or not.

"Worse, it's conscripting the nuns who care for them into its suicide cult on pain of crushing fines and professional ruin. That is both unconscionable and unconstitutional. We're confident the federal courts will put a stop to it."

The Bottom Line:

When it takes effect on August 5, New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act will allow people who have been told they have six months or less to live to ask for drugs to commit suicide. Coupled with the state's Palliative Care Information Act, which requires health care providers to tell these patients about all of their treatment options, the groups that morally oppose assisted suicide would be forced to both promote and allow the discriminatory act.