A federal judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of the Death Cult of the State’s New York’s new physician-assisted suicide law against four orders of Catholic women religious and their healthcare ministries.

On July 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci issued a temporary restraining order (with the state’s agreement) shielding the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, and the Little Sisters of the Poor, along with related Catholic healthcare entities and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The groups had sued the state on July 17, arguing that the Medical Aid in Dying Act would force them to facilitate assisted suicides for patients in their care, violating their religious beliefs. The original report appeared in the National Catholic Reporter.

The law, signed by Catholic Gov. Kathy Hochul in February, authorizes terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to seek lethal medication from physicians. It was scheduled to take effect August 5. New York is the 13th state, plus the District of Columbia, to legalize the practice.

Mother Mary Rose Heery, prioress general of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, said: “Families entrust their loved ones to us because they know our homes will be places of tenderness, dignity, and faithful care. We are grateful that we can continue honoring that trust and remain beside every resident until the very end.”

Mark Rienzi, president of Becket (the religious liberty firm representing the plaintiffs), stated: “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.”

Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre called the order “an important first step towards protecting religious freedom,” adding that New York “cannot force the Church to answer suffering with suicide or abandon the sick and dying when they need care most.”

The temporary order sets an August 20 deadline for New York Attorney General Letitia James to respond to the emergency motion. The protection applies to the plaintiffs, their employees, and providers while the court considers a preliminary injunction; it does not halt the law statewide.

Catholic teaching, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, holds that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are “morally unacceptable.” The state’s Catholic bishops opposed the law. The New York State Catholic Conference has also criticized proposed regulations for inadequate oversight and insufficient conscience protections.