Catholic Nuns Challenge New York’s Assisted Suicide Law as Religious Liberty Violation

More than a dozen Catholic organizations have filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York’s recently enacted Medical Aid in Dying Act, contending the law compels religious healthcare institutions to participate in physician-assisted suicide in violation of their fundamental beliefs. The 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, argue the February law infringes on First Amendment protections and federal healthcare safeguards.

Under the statute, individuals aged 18 and older who have received a terminal illness diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less may request and self-administer life-ending medication. The religious organizations contend the law effectively mandates that they counsel dying patients about the option, refer patients to willing providers and potentially permit assisted suicide procedures within their facilities, all contrary to Catholic doctrine on the sanctity of life.

The lawsuit asserts that New York’s requirements force a choice between maintaining religious convictions or incurring substantial financial penalties. The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne operate Rosary Hill Home, which has provided free end-of-life cancer care to approximately 45,000 low-income patients regardless of religious or cultural background over more than 125 years of service.

Mother Marie Edward, Superior General of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, stated the organization’s mission centers on offering “comfort, prayer, and loving medical care” rather than hastening death. Mark Rienzi, president of Becket, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, characterized the statute as “unconscionable and unconstitutional,” arguing New York effectively conscripts religious organizations into participation under threat of financial ruin.

This challenge follows an April lawsuit by the Dominican Sisters against Governor Kathy Hochul regarding a separate state law governing long-term care facility residents’ rights. The new assisted suicide law builds upon requirements established in the Palliative Care Information Act and mirrors provisions in Oregon’s long-standing physician-assisted dying statute.