Dominican Sisters in New York serving at Rosary Hill Home filed a federal lawsuit on April 6, 2026, challenging a 2023 state law that they say threatens their ability to continue caring for terminally ill cancer patients. The mandate enforces non-discrimination policies in long-term care facilities, raising concerns about freedom of faith.
The home, operated by the Hawthorne Dominicans, has offered free palliative care to impoverished patients for 125 years. Based on reports, the 42-bed facility relies entirely on charitable donations and the sisters’ service, without accepting payment or insurance.
According to the Catholic Benefits Association, the law requires facilities to follow gender identity guidelines, including shared accommodations, access to opposite-sex spaces and the use of preferred pronouns. These provisions are said to conflict with Catholic teachings, drawing concerns over forced compliance.
The state health department issued notices starting in March 2024, outlining mandatory training and policy changes. Authorities warned that non-compliance could result in fines, court orders, loss of licensure, and possible imprisonment. The sisters sought a religious exemption; however, the state did not respond to their request. A legal representative indicated that the mandate burdens their faith and compels them to speak against their beliefs.
Rose Hawthorne Lathrop founded the ministry in 1900, and it continues to care for the terminally ill poor. The case is likely to test the balance between anti-discrimination laws and constitutional protections for religious freedom, as reported by Aleteia.