Catholic nuns face jail time for refusing to affirm gender ideology in their free cancer hospice, risking a 125-year mission of mercy to the dying poor.
Story Highlights
- Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne sued New York State over a 2023 law mandating gender identity affirmation in nursing homes.
- Rosary Hill Home provides free palliative care to 42 impoverished terminally ill cancer patients annually, rejecting all government funds and insurance.
- The facility has zero complaints from February 2022 to January 2026, unlike over 55,000 against other New York facilities.
- New York law exempts Christian Science facilities but denies similar protections to Catholic ones, prompting First Amendment claims.
- Sisters seek federal injunction to avoid fines up to $10,000, license revocation, or one year in jail while upholding their faith.
Nuns’ Century-Old Mission Under Threat
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne founded their order in 1900 under Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, daughter of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. They established Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York, a 42-bed facility offering free end-of-life care exclusively to impoverished patients with incurable cancer. The sisters reject all insurance and government funding, serving all faiths through Christian charity. Patients receive dignified palliative support, including grooming and fresh linens, as praised in a 2016 New York Times Magazine profile. This 125-year commitment now clashes with state mandates.
New York Law Forces Affirmation of Beliefs
New York enacted the LTCF Residents’ Bill of Rights (Section 2803-c-2) in 2023, barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status in long-term care facilities. On March 18, 2024, the state Department of Health sent a letter to Rosary Hill demanding compliance with gender-affirming training and policies, such as “Affirming Care for Older LGBTQIA+ Individuals.” The sisters requested a religious exemption on March 5, 2026, but received no response. Non-compliance risks fines from $2,000 to $10,000, license loss, or up to one year in jail.
Lawsuit Challenges State Overreach
The sisters filed suit in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, against Governor Kathy Hochul and state health officials. Represented by attorney Martin Nussbaum and supported by the Catholic Benefits Association, they argue the mandates compel speech and conduct violating Catholic teachings on human sexuality. Mother Marie Edward stated the rules “violate our Catholic values” and threaten the home’s existence. Sister Stella Mary affirmed their vow to honor the foundress by serving the dying comfortably. The case seeks an injunction to protect their operations.
The law grants exemptions to Christian Science facilities, allowing non-compliance, but offers none to Catholic providers—a disparity the plaintiffs call discriminatory. Rosary Hill admits patients whose care aligns with Catholic moral tradition and reports zero complaints over four years, contrasting sharply with state averages exceeding 55,000. This perfect record underscores the facility’s compassionate service without prior issues.
FAITHFUL FIGHT: Catholic nuns who have spent their lives caring for dying patients are now in a legal battle with New York over a law they say violates their religious beliefs.
The new state law requires nursing homes and long-term care facilities to use preferred pronouns,… pic.twitter.com/5ZexPqNZ6T
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 12, 2026
Implications for Religious Liberty Nationwide
A ruling could set precedent for religious exemptions in healthcare, testing federal protections against state anti-discrimination rules. Short-term, closure would disrupt free care for dozens of terminally ill poor, shifting burdens to public systems despite the home’s self-funding model. Long-term, it affects Catholic providers nationwide facing similar pressures. Both conservatives valuing faith-based charity and others frustrated by elite-driven policies see this as government prioritizing ideology over mercy to the vulnerable. The case highlights tensions between individual rights and compelled affirmation.
Sources:
Catholic sisters sue for exemption to LGBTQ rights law in New York nursing homes
Catholic nuns caring for dying patients fight New York trans rule, face jail time
Nuns who care for dying poor face jail time under New York law
Catholic nuns serving dying patients fight New York transgender policy
