A coalition of approximately 13 plaintiffs, including Catholic healthcare providers, religious organizations, and multiple congregations of nuns, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York’s newly enacted assisted suicide law, arguing that it violates their religious beliefs and could force them to participate in practices that conflict with their faith, as reported [1] by Red State.
The lawsuit was filed after Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation permitting physician-assisted dying for certain terminally ill patients in New York.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs contend the law places them in a position where they must either comply with requirements they believe violate their religious convictions, discontinue long-standing healthcare ministries, or face potential legal and professional consequences.
Among the organizations participating in the lawsuit are the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Carmelite Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Bishop John O. Barres, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
According to the lawsuit, the state’s assisted dying law operates alongside New York’s existing Palliative Care Information Act, which requires physicians and nurse practitioners to discuss end-of-life care options with terminally ill patients.
Because physician-assisted dying is now recognized as one of those options, the plaintiffs argue that healthcare providers must proactively inform patients about it regardless of whether patients request that information.
The plaintiffs maintain that the law would require them to counsel patients about physician-assisted suicide and, in some cases, refer patients to providers who offer those services.
They argue those requirements directly conflict with longstanding Catholic teachings regarding the sanctity of human life.
Mother Marie Edward of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne discussed the group’s position in comments to The Free Press.
“Everyone is made in the image and likeness of God, and there is a dignity about the human person,” Mother Marie Edward said.
“We are only the guardians of this body. We do not take the charge of whether or not we live or we die. That’s up to God.”
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne have long provided care for terminally ill patients through their healthcare ministry.
The lawsuit argues that complying with the state’s requirements would force the organization to abandon religious principles that have guided its work for decades.
Legal representation for several of the plaintiffs is being provided by Becket, a nonprofit legal organization that frequently litigates religious liberty cases.
Mark Rienzi, president of Becket, issued a statement criticizing the law and its requirements for religious healthcare providers.
“New York is forcing sick and dying people to consider suicide at their lowest moment, regardless of whether they ask for it or not.”
He continued, “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.”
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs argue they could face significant financial penalties or the loss of professional licenses if they refuse to comply with the law’s requirements.
The lawsuit asks the federal court to block enforcement of the provisions as they apply to the religious organizations and healthcare providers involved in the case.
The plaintiffs contend the law infringes upon constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion by compelling participation in conduct they believe violates their faith.
The case adds to a growing number of legal challenges nationwide involving religious liberty claims and state healthcare policies.
Courts in several states have been asked to determine whether governments may require faith-based healthcare providers to participate in or facilitate medical procedures that conflict with their religious beliefs.
As the litigation moves forward, the federal court will be asked to determine whether New York’s assisted suicide law can be enforced against religious healthcare organizations while complying with constitutional protections for religious freedom.