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End-of-Life Resources
The New York State Catholic Conference offers numerous resources for Catholics and others regarding end-of-life decision making, including the video above produced by the Conference, through the generosity of a grant from OSV Institute.
In addition to the video, valuable additional resources include:
- A website, www.catholicendoflife.org, created by the Conference through the same OSV Institute grant, which provides resources and education for Catholics, according to the laws of their individual states.
- A booklet, “Now and at the Hour of Our Death,” available free in English or Spanish as individual copies, or for a low bulk-purchase rate for use in parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. (75 cents each, 2-99 copies; 60 cents each, 100-399 copies; 55 cents each, 400 or more copies), or as a PDF download in English or Spanish. Print booklets may be ordered by emailing info@nyscatholic.org or calling 518.434.6195.
- Printable flyers titled “End-of-Life Decisions: Considerations for Catholics,” and “End-of-Life Decisions: Advance Directives,” for use in parishes and elsewhere.
Video, website spotlight Catholic teaching on end-of-life decision making
At some point every family must deal with issues involving end of life care for a loved one. As Catholics attempt to navigate the myriad medical, ethical, and religious questions that arise, all the while dealing with the grief of an impending death, it can become overwhelming.
In an effort to offer assistance, the New York State Catholic Conference has produced a high definition video and a brand new website (www.catholicendoflife.org) entitled Now and at the Hour of Our Death that tackles many of the common questions and concerns, offers clarity and compassion, and serves as an education resource for Catholics nationwide. More 
Gender-Affirming Care
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A8627 Bronson/S8058 Hoylman-Sigal
Defines gender-affirming care for the purposes of certain prohibitions regarding the legal system and gender-affirming care
The above referenced legislation purports to make New York a “haven” for children to receive so-called “gender-affirming care” by prohibiting cooperation with states where such procedures are banned. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this bill.
Statement on Settlement of Sisters of Life Pregnancy Center Litigation
In a settlement of a federal lawsuit, Sisters of Life v. McDonald, New York State has agreed to a court order protecting the Sisters from government intrusion into their religious ministry as part of a “pregnancy center study” law passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Hochul in 2022. The settlement was announced yesterday. The Sisters were represented by Becket, a prominent national religious liberty law firm.
Following is a statement by Kristen Curran, director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference:
“We join the Sisters of Life in giving thanks to God that New York State has agreed to exclude them from the anti-woman pregnancy center study. The agreed-upon court order correctly recognizes the rights of the Sisters to continue their invaluable and critical ministries.
“The Sisters of Life carry out beautiful and important work in their communities, offering women hope and help at a time when New York offers them darkness and death. Our pro-abortion politicians have so prioritized the practice that they now seek to eliminate any other option for women in crisis. The Sisters truly walk with moms in need as they help them to safely access the resources and guidance necessary to keep their babies and to thrive.
“The disgraceful pregnancy center study bill was written out of a vindictive desire to eliminate any option for women other than the Planned Parenthood political machine. It weaponizes the Health Department against pro-life pregnancy centers and the women and babies they serve. It is horrifying that, at a time when the infant mortality rate is rising, New York State would expend a single penny to bring down resources that exist to help women keep their babies.
“We celebrate with the Sisters of Life and continue to pray that the entire pregnancy center study will be abandoned, so that all of the people doing good work to serve women and babies may continue to do so without harassment.”
The New York State Catholic Conference represents the Catholic Bishops of New York State in public policy matters.
2023 End-of-Session Round-Up
The 2023 legislative session has come to an end in Albany. Below are some of the major pieces of legislation we tracked over the last six months. Thank you for supporting the work of the New York State Catholic Conference through the Catholic Action Network.
Toward a Pro-Life Future in the Empire State
A statement by the Catholic Bishops of New York State. Printable PDF for parish distribution in English HERE and in Spanish HERE.
Humanity’s salvation history was forever changed when a poor, devout Jewish girl from Galilee affirmatively said yes to life and set in motion the birth, ministry, sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mary’s fiat (“Thy will be done.”) was a gift of love to humanity, given freely in spite of her inability to know all that would entail, but with more faith in the Lord than fear of the unknown. In this month of Mary, we have an opportunity to reflect on her example, even as Americans grapple with gathering societal unrest over the issue of abortion.
Since the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade effectively opened the door to abortion on demand throughout the land, an estimated 63 million unborn babies across the country have been killed in the womb before they could even draw their first breath of air. As we await a decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the recently argued Supreme Court case that could potentially overturn Roe, we pray for a positive outcome even as we acknowledge that abortion in New York would continue unfettered, and even be actively promoted as a social good by many elected officials. Sadly, New York, which legalized abortion three years before the Roe decision, has long been the abortion capital of the country, a tragic and sobering distinction.
Through the years, advocates for legal abortion have skillfully framed the narrative as one of “choice,” and “reproductive freedom,” completely ignoring the biological reality of what abortion is: the intentional killing of an innocent child in the womb. Even as sonogram technology and advances in neonatal medicine clearly show us the truth that what is being “terminated” is a human life, the pro-abortion movement refuses to address the science. The abortion industry has been so successful in its messaging that the right to abortion has become inextricably linked to the notion of women’s rights and equality for a significant portion of the country, which is why the prospect of a nation without Roe has led to fear and anxiety for many people.
Kathleen Gallagher to Retire as Pro-Life Activities Director
Kathleen M. Gallagher, who for the better part of four decades has served as director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference, is retiring at the end of January.
In that time, she has not only represented the New York State Bishops, but has been a national leader in the pro-life movement, advocating against abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia, and in favor of supports for pregnant women in need and people near the end of life.
“No one in New York State or across the country has done more to advocate on behalf of all human life from conception until natural death than Kathy Gallagher,” said Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the NYSCC. “She is a giant of the pro-life movement, who my brother bishops, past and present, have depended on for nearly four decades to fight for the most vulnerable among us. We thank her for her tireless service. While she is moving into retirement, we’re thrilled that Kathy has agreed to serve as a valued consultant on the many issues related to respect for life that we continue to encounter. God knows we need her voice.”
Mrs. Gallagher is a native of Long Island who graduated from the New York Institute of Technology, and joined the Conference in 1984 after a brief stint working in the state legislature. She has served the Conference in that time as its pro-life lobbyist and spokesperson. Among her many other duties, she served as staff liaison to the Catholic prison chaplains. She has received the Diocesan Pro-Vita Award from the Dioceses of Rockville Centre, Brooklyn and Buffalo, and the Bishop Broderick Award from the Diocese of Albany. Her monthly Respect Life column continues to appear in numerous diocesan publications across the state.
“I am grateful to Cardinal Dolan and the Bishops for allowing me to represent them for so long, and blessed beyond measure to have received a salary to advocate for moral principles in which I deeply believe,” Mrs. Gallagher said.
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Letter to Congress regarding Hyde Amendment
Following is the text of a letter from Dennis Poust, executive director of the NYS Catholic Conference, to the full New York congressional delegation, regarding taxpayer funding for abortion, dated July 7, 2021:
“On behalf of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Catholic Bishops of New York State, I write to urge you to reject taxpayer funding of abortion, and to oppose appropriations bills that do not include the long-standing, bipartisan Hyde Amendment and related pro-life policies.
“These consensus provisions have been approved year after year by Congress and Presidents of both political parties. For almost half a century, the Hyde Amendment has protected taxpayers from having abortion imposed upon them by forcing them to pay for an act that destroys unborn human lives. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Hyde Amendment, and has said that government may reasonably favor childbirth over abortion and allocate funding accordingly (Harris v McRae).
“Whatever one’s position on the morality or legality of abortion, we all know it is unique. Indeed, the High Court has said: ‘Abortion is inherently different from other medical procedures, because no other procedure involves the purposeful termination of a potential life.’ When the federal government subsidizes certain conduct, it encourages the behavior. Through the allocation of their tax dollars, Americans should not be compelled to finance nor encourage the practice of abortion.
“In his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis declared: ‘Among the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us. Nowadays efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone from standing in the way of this…It is not ‘progressive’ to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life…’
“I urge you to partner with us in providing support, funding, and programs to assist pregnant women facing challenging situations, and to empower them to bear their children and raise their families with dignity.
“Again, I implore you to oppose any appropriations bill that expands taxpayer funding of abortion.
“Please know that you and your staff are in my prayers and the prayers of the Bishops as you continue your important work on behalf of our beloved country.
“Respectfully,
Dennis Poust
Executive Director”
The Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of New York State in public policy matters.
2021 End-of-Session Round-Up
Thank you for your support of the NYS Catholic Action Network. The 2021 Legislative Session in Albany has adjourned, although lawmakers may return at some point this summer if agreement is reached on certain legislation. We appreciate your action on several bills throughout the session. Below are some updates on legislation of interest to the New York State Catholic Conference.
Respect for Human Life
PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE: In an important pro-life victory, advocates for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide failed to get a vote on the bill in any committee in either house of the legislature. The Conference, and our allies in the NY Alliance Against Assisted Suicide, were successful in highlighting the many dangerous consequences of such a policy.
STEALTH EUTHANASIA: The Assembly Health Committee advanced a very dangerous euthanasia bill that would allow proxy decision-makers to deny ordinary food and water to patients. The bill was amended under the radar to allow for the denial not only of tube feeding, but oral feeding as well, even if the patient never requested it. Thankfully, the bill advanced no further.
PRO-LIFE PREGNANCY CENTERS: Legislation to require a biased “study” of pro-life pregnancy centers intended to intimidate and silence them advanced to the Assembly floor but did not receive any floor votes. The NYSCC alert on this issue generated more than 12,000 messages of opposition to legislators.
Family Life/Moral Values
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA: The state legislature passed and Governor Cuomo signed legislation to legalize the possession and sale of recreational marijuana, an action strongly opposed by the Catholic Conference.
CHILD MARRIAGE: Legislation supported by the Catholic Conference to raise the age of consent for marriage from 17 to 18, passed both houses of the legislature and awaits action by the Governor.
SEX EDUCATION: Legislation to require all public and charter schools to teach “comprehensive” sex education beginning in kindergarten died in committee in both houses.
PROSTITUTION: A bill to decriminalize prostitution in New York was introduced in both houses but did not advance from the Codes Committee in either house.
HUMAN COMPOSTING: Legislation to allow the composting of human remains was advanced in both houses for the first time, but failed to receive a floor vote in either house. The Conference strongly opposed the measure and worked to educate Catholics about how it fails to treat human remains with reverence and respect. A CAN alert generated about 10,000 messages to legislators.
Criminal Justice
CLEAN SLATE ACT: This legislation would have sealed most criminal convictions after three years (misdemeanors) or seven years (felonies), with few exceptions. We heard from safe environment directors in the (arch)dioceses that this would be very problematic in terms of ensuring the protection of children in our programs, as background checks would not pick up older crimes, including violent crimes against children. We actively lobbied both houses and also activated the Catholic Action Network, which resulted in 8,000 messages to legislators in just over a day. We noted the good intentions of the legislation but insisted it needed to be amended to allow not-for-profits working with children and vulnerable adults to learn about criminal convictions of prospective volunteers and employees. Our message was heard loud and clear and a deal to pass the bill fell apart last night over concerns in the Assembly about language. This legislation is likely to be revived for passage if the houses return to Albany at the end of the month and agree on amendments. We will continue working toward appropriate amendment language that protects children and vulnerable adults.
HALT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT ACT: A bill supported by the New York State Catholic Conference to dramatically reduce the use of solitary confinement in state prisons finally passed this session and was signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The Catholic Action Network generated about 4,500 messages to legislators.
Human Services
NOURISH NEW YORK: Legislation we supported to make permanent this COVID-related program to address food insecurity by connecting farmers with food banks passed both houses of the legislature and awaits action by Governor Cuomo.
RENT SUBSIDIES INCREASE: This legislation supported by the Catholic Conference, would increase the value of rent subsidies for families whose lack of adequate housing puts their children at risk of entering the foster care system or delays family reunification. The bill passed in the Senate but, sadly, not in the Assembly.
DONOR DISCLOSURE: Legislation supported by the Conference to protect the privacy of donors to 501(c)(3) organizations passed both houses and awaits the Governor’s action.
Education
STEM FUNDING: The state’s STEM program for religious and independent schools is a first-in-the-nation program that reimburses our schools for a portion of the salaries of our teachers of science, technology, engineering and math. Now in its fourth year, and together with our coalition partners, we secured another significant funding increase, bringing the program to $40 million.
SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY: There were several positive developments this year in the on-going efforts by lawmakers and the State Education Department to respond to the complaints leveled against some Orthodox Yeshivas for not being in compliance with the “substantial equivalency” statute. First, the Board of Regents withdrew proposed regulations that would have required public schools to review the instructional program of religious and independent schools. Secondly, the Regents embarked on a series of stake-holder meetings designed to gather input on a new framework for enforcing instructional mandates for religious and independent schools. The new framework recognizes the long history of academic success of the overwhelming majority of religious and independent schools as evidenced by such schools being accredited by independent agencies, chartered by the Board of Regents and registered with the State Education Department. Third, legislation was introduced in the Assembly which 1) requires the State Education Department Commissioner to approve accreditation agencies and 2) stipulates that schools accredited by such agencies would be deemed in compliance with the substantial equivalency statute. The diocesan school superintendents support the measure because it permits instructional standards to be measured by independent accrediting agencies as opposed to our schools being reviewed and determined to be “substantially equivalent” to public schools. Although the bill passed the Assembly, there was no action on the measure in the Senate.
MANDATED SERVICES AID – SAVE HARMLESS: Building on the precedent set by the Governor and the legislature in holding state aid to public schools harmless during the pandemic, we were successful in securing a comparable save-harmless provision for MSA. Generally, annual MSA reimbursement constitutes approximately 10% of our schools’ operating budgets, while reimbursement for test administration costs ranges from 10 to 70% of schools’ MSA reimbursement.
FEDERAL COVID RELIEF PROGRAMS: More than $500 million was allocated in the state budget from federal COVID relief funds for two equal rounds of approximately $250 million for Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS). Given the tight timeline required for implementation, we were successful in securing language in the state budget that permits non-competitive contracts for services and assistance to eligible schools through the State Education Department (SED), BOCES and/or third-party contractors. Conference staff worked with the SED and the Governor’s office in developing the application for the first round of EANS. Applications were received from just fewer than 600 of the 1,800 religious and independent schools. The balance of schools were ineligible for EANS because they received PPP-2 loans. We still await guidance from the US Department of Education on the implementation of EANS-2.
Once again, we thank you for your support of the Catholic Action Network, and wish you a relaxing summer. Please follow the New York State Catholic Conference on social media at the links at the top of this page.
2019 End-of-Session Round-Up
(Franchesca Caputo/The Evangelist)
The New York State Legislature wrapped up the 2019 session in the early morning hours of June 21. The session was among the most active in memory, as the new Democratic majority in the state Senate, joined with the Democratic Assembly majority and the Democratic Governor to take on many issues that had previously been staunchly opposed by Republicans. Below is a synopsis of major issues tracked by the Catholic Conference and their outcome.