Catholic religious sisters and Catholic healthcare ministries will not have to comply with New York’s assisted suicide law until their legal challenge can be heard in federal court, a judge ruled on Thursday.
The judge issued a temporary restraining order providing that the plaintiffs will not have to comply with New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act while the court considers their request for a preliminary injunction. The law is due to come into force on August 5.
“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. This agreement protects the sisters and those they care for while we fight to end New York’s suicide mandate for good,” said Mark Rienzi, president of Becket and lead counsel in the case, in a press release.
