New York nuns will not be forced to comply with assisted-suicide law while case progresses

A federal judge ruled this week that orders of nuns will not be forced by local state law to recommend medically assisted suicide to their patients while the case is pending in court. 

Four orders of Catholic nuns and several Catholic healthcare ministries sued the state of New York in late June regarding a new law that would force them to help terminally ill patients kill themselves, a severe violation of their Catholic faith.

“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 appealed to a federal court to block the law before it took effect on August 5.

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The law firm summarized how dire the circumstances are in a press release on its website.

“Beginning August 5, any healthcare provider who declines to prescribe suicide pills could still have to tell terminally ill patients about their ‘right’ to kill themselves, help them meet the requirements for obtaining suicide pills, and direct them to a provider willing to prescribe the lethal drugs,” the statement read. 

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

When reached for further comment, the law firm shared multiple statements about the ongoing case from Catholic Church leaders.

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Mother Mary Rose Heery, O. Carm., Prioress General of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm replied, “Families entrust their loved ones to us because they know our homes will be places of tenderness, dignity, and faithful care. 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 replied, “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, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York replied, “This agreement is 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.”

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

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