Republican Senate Candidate Condemns Assisted-Suicide Law and Possible Penalties For Noncompliance
Anthony Merante, Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 35, today condemned Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Albany Democrats for passing an assisted-suicide law that has forced Catholic nuns and healthcare organizations to go to federal court to defend their religious beliefs.
“Catholic nuns who have dedicated their lives to caring for the sick, elderly and dying should not have to fight their own state government to remain faithful to their religious beliefs,” Merante said. “Albany Democrats have reached a disgraceful new low.”
“Andrea Stewart-Cousins voted for this law and helped create a system that a coalition of 13 Catholic healthcare organizations has filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. The plaintiffs include the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Catholic Health and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The lawsuit argues that Catholic doctors, nurses and healthcare facilities could be required to discuss, facilitate or transfer patients for assisted suicide, even when doing so violates their faith.
“No nun, doctor, nurse or religious caregiver should have to choose between obeying the government and obeying their conscience,” Merante said. “This is not compassion. It is government coercion backed by possible fines and criminal penalties.”
Merante placed responsibility on Stewart-Cousins, who voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act. This law threatens the freedom of religious institutions caring for our most vulnerable citizens,” Merante said. Merante said New York should strengthen hospice care, pain management and support for terminally ill patients and their families rather than force religious institutions to help facilitate the ending of a human life.
“I proudly stand with these courageous sisters,” Merante concluded. “When I am elected to the State Senate, I will defend religious liberty, freedom of conscience and the constitutional rights of every New Yorker.”