‘Nearly every Catholic health care institution’ in Illinois shielded from suicide law in court order

A federal court order has expanded protections for nearly every Catholic health care institution in Illinois, preventing the state from enforcing its assisted suicide law against religious objectors. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois previously ruled in favor of several Catholic plaintiffs, including Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki and Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich, to bar the state from requiring their participation in the law.

The Thomas More Society, which represents Paprocki and other plaintiffs, announced Oct. 8 that the expanded order now includes multiple groups of religious sisters and various Catholic health care affiliates in the Diocese of Springfield. Other protected entities include the Catholic Medical Association and the Catholic Psychotherapy Association.

This temporary protection remains in effect while the lawsuit against the state law continues. Peter Breen, the litigation head for the Thomas More Society, stated that the legal group intends to continue its efforts until the protection becomes permanent.