Across the U.S., 3 bishops, dozens of religious sisters leading lawsuits against assisted suicide

Three bishops and dozens of religious sisters are leading lawsuits across several states to challenge assisted suicide laws and protect religious objectors from being forced to participate in the practice.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci ruled in July that the state cannot enforce its new suicide law against Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre and a coalition of four religious communities while their federal lawsuit proceeds.

In Illinois, two separate lawsuits have also secured temporary relief for Catholic plaintiffs. In August, U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama ruled that Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, several Christian doctors, and a Lutheran care home do not have to follow the state law. In September, Valderrama issued another ruling for a group including the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. These rulings serve as temporary reprieves to prevent law enforcement while the cases continue in federal court.