Statement on Settlement of Sisters of Life Pregnancy Center Litigation

Published on November 9th, 2023

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.