Catholic nuns sue New York, say assisted suicide law forces them to violate their faith
Catholic nuns and faith-based healthcare providers who have spent generations caring for New York's dying are suing the state, arguing its new assisted suicide law will force them to violate their religious beliefs by participating in a practice they consider morally wrong.The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court by over 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, argues New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act compels religious healthcare providers to counsel terminally ill patients about physician-assisted suicide, make referrals to participating providers and, in some cases, accommodate assisted suicide in their facilities.The plaintiffs say those requirements violate the First Amendment, federal healthcare protections and longstanding Catholic teaching on the sanctity of human life.REP CLAUDIA TENNEY: WHY IS NEW YORK PUNISHING NUNS WHO CARE FOR THE DYING?"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’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, which was signed into law in February, lets those who are 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication if they are experiencing immense suffering, according to Compassion and Choices, who supports the new law.The group notes the measure is based on Oregon's long-standing assisted dying law.HOSPICE CEO ASKS CONGRESS HOW A PROVIDER CAN OPERATE 'OUT OF A BURRITO STAND IN CALIFORNIA' WITH NO OVERSIGHTAccording to the complaint, the law could compel religious organizations to facilitate physician-assisted suicide by giving patients information about the practice, permitting staff to discuss it with terminally ill patients, and helping patients complete steps required to qualify for life-ending medication.The plaintiffs also argue the law would require referrals to willing providers and prevent the organizations from disciplining employees who provide such counseling or assistance in conflict with the institutions' religious beliefs.Rosary Hill Home, run by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, one of the plaintiffs, has cared for roughly 45,000 low-income cancer patients in New York, providing free end-of-life care regardless of their faith or cultural background.SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUPMother 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.
Reported by 1 outlet — Fox News Latest. See all sources ↓
Catholic nuns and faith-based healthcare providers who have spent generations caring for New York's dying are suing the state, arguing its new assisted suicide law will force them to violate their religious beliefs by participating in a practice they consider morally wrong.The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court by over 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, argues New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act compels religious healthcare providers to counsel terminally ill patients about physician-assisted suicide, make referrals to participating providers and, in some cases, accommodate assisted suicide in their facilities.The plaintiffs say those requirements violate the First Amendment, federal healthcare protections and longstanding Catholic teaching on the sanctity of human life.REP CLAUDIA TENNEY: WHY IS NEW YORK PUNISHING NUNS WHO CARE FOR THE DYING?"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’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, which was signed into law in February, lets those who are 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication if they are experiencing immense suffering, according to Compassion and Choices, who supports the new law.The group notes the measure is based on Oregon's long-standing assisted dying law.HOSPICE CEO ASKS CONGRESS HOW A PROVIDER CAN OPERATE 'OUT OF A BURRITO STAND IN CALIFORNIA' WITH NO OVERSIGHTAccording to the complaint, the law could compel religious organizations to facilitate physician-assisted suicide by giving patients information about the practice, permitting staff to discuss it with terminally ill patients, and helping patients complete steps required to qualify for life-ending medication.The plaintiffs also argue the law would require referrals to willing providers and prevent the organizations from disciplining employees who provide such counseling or assistance in conflict with the institutions' religious beliefs.Rosary Hill Home, run by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, one of the plaintiffs, has cared for roughly 45,000 low-income cancer patients in New York, providing free end-of-life care regardless of their faith or cultural background.SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUPMother 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."Edward added, "We pray the court will protect our freedom to remain faithful to that ministry God has entrusted to us."In April, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne sued New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, alleging the state’s "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and people living with HIV long-term care facility residents' bill of rights" could force them to choose between their faith and their mission or face fines, loss of licensing and even jail time.Mother Mary Rose Heery, O.
Read the full report at Fox News Latest ↗
Why it matters
A world story we're tracking; its significance and source trust firm up as more outlets confirm it.
- What's the story?
- Catholic nuns and faith-based healthcare providers who have spent generations caring for New York's dying are suing the state, arguing its new assisted suicide law will force them to violate their religious beliefs by participating in a practice they consider morally wrong.The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court by over 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, argues New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act compels religious healthcare providers to counsel terminally ill patients about physician-assisted suicide, make referrals to participating providers and, in some cases, accommodate assisted suicide in their facilities.The plaintiffs say those requirements violate the First Amendment, federal healthcare protections and longstanding Catholic teaching on the sanctity of human life.REP CLAUDIA TENNEY: WHY IS NEW YORK PUNISHING NUNS WHO CARE FOR THE DYING?"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’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, which was signed into law in February, lets those who are 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months or less to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication if they are experiencing immense suffering, according to Compassion and Choices, who supports the new law.The group notes the measure is based on Oregon's long-standing assisted dying law.HOSPICE CEO ASKS CONGRESS HOW A PROVIDER CAN OPERATE 'OUT OF A BURRITO STAND IN CALIFORNIA' WITH NO OVERSIGHTAccording to the complaint, the law could compel religious organizations to facilitate physician-assisted suicide by giving patients information about the practice, permitting staff to discuss it with terminally ill patients, and helping patients complete steps required to qualify for life-ending medication.The plaintiffs also argue the law would require referrals to willing providers and prevent the organizations from disciplining employees who provide such counseling or assistance in conflict with the institutions' religious beliefs.Rosary Hill Home, run by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, one of the plaintiffs, has cared for roughly 45,000 low-income cancer patients in New York, providing free end-of-life care regardless of their faith or cultural background.SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY SLAPS DOWN BLUE STATE TARGETING PRO-LIFE GROUPMother 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.
- How widely is it covered?
- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 9m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
Catholic nuns sue New York, say assisted suicide law forces them to violate their faith
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest