Across the US, bishops and religious sisters lead fight against assisted suicide

Catholic bishops and religious sisters in New York and Illinois have secured temporary legal protections to prevent them from participating in state-sanctioned assisted suicide. These victories in federal district court come as Church leaders launch lawsuits to protect religious objectors from being forced to assist in the deaths of medical patients under newly implemented state laws.

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 sister communities while their federal lawsuit proceeds.

In Illinois, two separate lawsuits have also resulted in 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 or assist patients in killing themselves. In September, Judge Valderrama issued another ruling in favor of a coalition 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 forestall law enforcement while the legal challenges continue through the federal court system.