N.Y. Nuns Won’t Be Forced to Comply with Assisted-Suicide Law While Case Is Adjudicated

A federal judge ruled that the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne will not be required to abide by the state’s assisted-suicide law while their lawsuit challenging the legislation works its way through the courts.

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The Medical Aid in Dying Act, which takes effect on August 5, permits patients who have been given less than six months to live to request drugs to end their life. In Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. James, lawyers for the religious order argue that the assisted-suicide law would force the sisters to violate their religious beliefs.

“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 health care 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.”

The order came down after New York agreed not to enforce the state’s assisted-suicide law against the nuns ahead of an upcoming hearing where a federal judge is expected to rule on the religious order’s request for a preliminary injunction blocking the law from taking effect.

Since they would qualify for religious exemption, the nuns themselves would not have to administer the assisted-suicide drugs themselves, but, under another state law, they would still be required to inform patients that they have the option to end their own lives.

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Noncompliance with the assisted-suicide law comes with severe consequences, including a fine of $2,000 per violation, the loss of state licenses, and up to a year of prison time.

Per the judge’s order, this temporary agreement allows the nuns and the other religious health care groups to continue to provide end-of-life care that does not conflict with their religious convictions. New York’s agreement buys the ministries time to fight this battle in court, as their request for a preliminary injunction is considered.

“We at Rosary Hill, continue our foundress’ intention to bring the healing spirit of Christ and His Church to those who are most in need while asking nothing in return,” Superior General of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne and O.P., Mother Marie Edward, said in a statement. “NY state’s decision not to enforce this law against us means that we can continue our loving service to Christ’s poor.” 

The Dominican Sisters are involved in another lawsuit against the state of New York, over a state law that requires the nuns to affirm patients’ so-called gender identity. Once again, the nuns are arguing the law goes against their religious convictions. The Trump administration’s Department of Justice signed onto the nuns’ suit.

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