Catholic nuns who have spent more than a century caring for the dying poor are suing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, saying a new state law could force them to choose between their faith and their mission or face fines, loss of licensing and even jail time. "We are consecrated religious Sisters and have one mission," Mother Marie Edward, O.P., told Fox News Digital in a statement. "It is to provide comfort and skilled care to persons dying of cancer who cannot afford nursing care. We do not take insurance or government funds or money from our patients or families. The care is totally free."
"We are supported by the goodness of our benefactors," she continued. "We do this without discriminating on the basis of race, religion, or sex. We do it because Jesus taught us that, when the least among us are sick, we should care for them, as if they were Christ himself."
Signed into law on Nov. 30, 2023, the "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and people living with HIV long-term care facility residents' bill of rights" bans long-term care facilities and staff "from discriminating against any resident on the basis of a resident’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or HIV status," according to a press release from Hochul's office.
Yet, another example of why so many Christians in this country feel that the Democrat party is hostile to them and vote Republican instead. Indeed, for 125 years, Catholic nuns in New York have operated Rosary Hill Home, a free hospice serving poor cancer patients as an act of charity. But a state law signed by Governor Hochul requires nursing homes to follow policies on "gender identity", including pronoun use, housing based on gender identity, and access to shared spaces. The nuns rightly say these requirements conflict with their religious beliefs, though they emphasize treating all patients with dignity. As a result, they now face potential fines, loss of their license, or other penalties if they do not comply, raising the possibility that the hospice could be forced to shut down. I don't know how this will do in the lower courts, but if it gets to the Supreme Court the nuns will rightly win.
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