Temporary Restraining order stops NY from enforcing MAID in 4 Catholic facilities

Rockville Centre, New York — July 17, 2026, AD

Who

U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci issued a temporary restraining order on July 17, 2026, blocking New York State from enforcing Senate Bill-138 (The Medical Aid in Dying Act) against four Catholic religious orders and the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The order protects their facilities from being compelled to participate in or promote assisted suicide while litigation continues.

What

Bishop John Barres filed a 108-page federal complaint arguing that SB-138 violates their First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. Judge Narducci agreed that the plaintiffs raised serious constitutional concerns and halted enforcement of the law against them. The following 4 facilities are protected, for now.

• Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm
• Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne
• Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict
• Little Sisters of the Poor

When

• February 6, 2026: Governor Kathy Hochul signed SB-138.
• July 17, 2026: Catholic plaintiffs filed suit.
• July 17, 2026: Judge Nardacci issued the temporary restraining order.
• August 5, 2026: Scheduled date for the law to take effect.
• Next steps: A full hearing will be scheduled in the coming months to discuss its permanence.

Where

The case, Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. James, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, a jurisdiction that has increasingly adopted laws expanding assisted suicide and gender-identity mandates for care facilities.

Why

• SB-138 requires medical professionals—even those morally opposed—to inform patients of their “right” to end their lives and threatens dissenting providers with fines, license revocation, and possible incarceration.
• Catholic teaching, affirmed in Evangelium Vitae and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, rejects euthanasia and assisted suicide as violations of human dignity and the sanctity of life.
• The plaintiffs argue the law forces them to contradict their faith, the Hippocratic Oath, and the rights of patients who seek care rooted in Catholic moral tradition.

Summary

1. Four Catholic religious orders and the Diocese of Rockville Centre challenged NY’s MAID Act, arguing it violates religious liberty and endangers the vulnerable.
2. Judge Anne Nardacci agreed the law raises serious constitutional issues and temporarily blocked its enforcement against the plaintiffs. A temporary restraining order was issued.
3. A future hearing will determine whether the protection becomes permanent.

The case marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle over assisted suicide, conscience rights and the defense of human dignity.

Prayer for Strength of the Small

Lord, cradle weak voices in end-of-life storms, mantle Your mercy, make nearness their norm.

Bless silent suff’ring, that only few see; Lord, teach us to honor every frailty.

Raise up the forgotten, the bent & the small; remind us Your gifting-of-life is for all.

You appointed us stewards to every soul sent; help us defend them, conception-to-end.

Through fading heartbeats & fragile last breaths, You Lord, must choose the time of our death.

Sources:

ASW Report: Vague Legislation & Weak Data Mislead the Public on Physician-Assisted Suicide | Aging with Dignity

Catechism of the Catholic Church | Euthanasia

Catholic World Report. A win in New York State, for now, in the battle against assistance suicide

Evangelium Vitae | St. John Paul II

National Catholic Bioethics Center | End-of-Life Ethics

USCCB | Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia