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Cardinal Cupich, Catholic religious sisters sue Illinois to halt assisted suicide law

September 3, 2026 · 1 min read

A coalition of religious sisters has joined Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich in suing the state of Illinois to prevent enforcement of its assisted suicide law.

The law, which was signed by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in December 2025, allows doctors in the state to prescribe lethal doses of medication to patients in order to help them end their own lives. Among other rules, patients must have a terminal illness in order to qualify for receiving help to kill themselves.

The rule has received strong criticism from Catholic bishops in the state .

On Sept. 3, meanwhile, the religious liberty law firm Becket announced that Cupich and two orders of religious sisters had filed a lawsuit against the state seeking to halt enforcement of the law against the Catholic plaintiffs.

The suit, filed in U.S. district court , argues that the sisters — who belong to the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and the Little Sisters of the Poor — will be forced to either “abandon their religious beliefs regarding the sanctity of life or face significant fines and penalties” if they refuse to participate in the suicide regime.

The suit notes that by Sept. 12, healthcare providers in…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Daniel Wilson

This is a tough one. The Little Sisters of the Poor already went through the Obamacare fights, and now Illinois wants to make them choose between their vows and fines? Cardinal Cupich and the Carmelites are right to push back on this. I hope the court sees that forcing a Catholic nursing home to help end lives isn’t religious liberty.

Никола Ангеловски

I think the Little Sisters of the Poor have already gone through the Obamacare thing, and now they're being pushed to choose between faith and punishment again. Cardinal Cupich and the Carmelites have the right to object, especially when it comes to the sanctity of life for old and sick people. Let's see what the court will say, but this is not fair.

Сергей Белов

Сестры из Little Sisters of the Poor уже прошли через суды с Obamacare, а теперь в Иллинойсе снова ставят их перед выбором: либо нарушай обеты, либо плати штрафы. Кардинал Купич и кармелитки правильно подали в суд — нельзя заставлять тех, кто ухаживает за стариками и больными, участвовать в этом. Интересно, что скажет суд к 12 сентября.

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

It's a shame we got to this point. The Little Sisters of the Poor are going through the same thing as Obamacare, only now it's so they don't have to give drugs that kill the elderly they care for. Cardinal Cupich is doing well to support them. Let's hope the court sees this clearly.

Γιάννης Θεοδώρου

I agree Spyro, the Little Sisters are back in the same corner as Obamacare. What's worse is that their nursing homes are filled with people waiting to be cared for until the end, not given a pill. Really, how long do you want this trial to last?

Νίκος Μιχαηλίδης

Spyro, you're right, the Little Sisters find themselves under the same pressure again. I remember years ago they fought Obamacare over birth control and now it's over euthanasia drugs. How many nursing homes are there in Illinois? Let's hope they don't close them down.