Catholic Nuns Win MAJOR Victory Against State’s Unthinkable Demand

Liberty Check

• Federal court blocks New York from forcing Catholic nuns to participate in assisted suicide while lawsuit proceeds
• State law would have mandated healthcare providers recommend lethal drugs to terminally ill patients or face fines and jail time
• Catholic ministries argue the mandate violates both religious freedom and federal anti-discrimination protections

A federal judge delivered a critical victory for religious freedom this week, ruling that Catholic nuns caring for the elderly and dying cannot be forced to comply with New York’s radical assisted-suicide law while their legal challenge moves forward.

Four orders of Catholic sisters and multiple Catholic healthcare ministries filed suit against New York in late June after the state passed legislation that would compel them to help terminally ill patients end their lives — a direct assault on their deeply held religious convictions.

“Forcing Catholic nuns to participate in suicide — and robbing New Yorkers of the choice to receive faithful, life-affirming care— is both unlawful and unjust,” Mark Rienzi, president of Becket and lead attorney for the healthcare ministries, said in a statement.

“This agreement protects the sisters and those they care for while we fight to end New York’s suicide mandate for good.”

Becket successfully petitioned the federal court to block enforcement of the law before its scheduled August 5 effective date. The legal victory came after the religious liberty law firm exposed just how extreme the mandate actually is.

According to Becket’s press release, beginning August 5, any healthcare provider who refused to prescribe suicide pills would still have been required to inform terminally ill patients about their “right” to kill themselves, assist them in meeting requirements for obtaining lethal drugs, and refer them to providers willing to prescribe the deadly medication.

“Refusal invites significant fines, license revocation, or even time behind bars,” the statement warned. “Federal law forbids New York from discriminating against healthcare providers who object to assisted suicide, but New York has done so anyway.”

Multiple leaders from the Catholic Church responded to the preliminary injunction with gratitude and resolve to continue the legal fight.

“Families entrust their loved ones to us because they know our homes will be places of tenderness, dignity, and faithful care,” Mother Mary Rose Heery, O. Carm., Prioress General of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, said.

“We are grateful that we can continue honoring that trust and remain beside every resident until the very end.”

Sister Justyna Owsiejko, O.S.B., of the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict emphasized the sacred mission of their ministry.

“Our home exists so that elderly people can spend their final days surrounded by peace, prayer, and the Sisters who love them. For now, they can rest assured that assisted suicide will not be forced into the sanctuary they call home.”

Bishop John O. Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre called the agreement “an important first step towards protecting religious freedom.”

“New York cannot force the Church to answer suffering with suicide or abandon the sick and dying when they need care most,” he stated.

“Until our legal fight is resolved, this temporary agreement keeps our ministries free to serve every patient according to the Gospel. We continue to proclaim that every human life is sacred and worthy of love until its natural end.”

The case highlights a growing trend of progressive states attempting to force religious healthcare providers to violate their conscience or exit the medical field entirely. Federal law explicitly protects healthcare workers from discrimination based on their moral objections to procedures like assisted suicide, yet New York moved forward with its coercive mandate anyway.

While this preliminary injunction provides temporary relief, the nuns and their legal team remain committed to permanently blocking the law and preserving the right of religious healthcare providers to offer compassionate, life-affirming care without government interference.

The Constitution must be defended.