In a recent legal victory, a group of Catholic Sisters, known as the Sisters of Life, successfully defended their privacy rights against a New York law aimed at investigating pro-life pregnancy centers. The law, passed in June 2022, targeted centers offering life-affirming support to pregnant women. In response, the Sisters of Life filed a lawsuit, seeking protection from government intrusion into their confidential documents. The New York State agreed to a federal court order, granted recently, preventing officials from demanding sensitive information from the Sisters or penalizing them for refusal.
Founded in 1991 by Cardinal John O’Connor, the Sisters of Life dedicate their lives to serving pregnant women in need, adhering to vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Central to their beliefs is the sanctity of every individual, and they vow to protect human life. Operating the Visitation Mission in New York, the Sisters provide comprehensive care for women facing crisis pregnancies, addressing their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. Beyond pregnancy, they offer ongoing support, connecting women and their children to various free services, including medical, legal, and social support. The Sisters also extend their compassion to those seeking healing after abortion experiences.
Sr. Maris Stella, Vicar General of the Sisters of Life, expressed gratitude for the legal victory, emphasizing their commitment to supporting women in need. She highlighted the importance of providing emotional, practical, and spiritual support to help women flourish, asserting their dedication to bringing hope, comfort, and joy to women in challenging situations.
The legal battle unfolded against the backdrop of New York’s attempt to regulate life-affirming pregnancy centers. Two weeks prior to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, New York passed a law enabling the Commissioner of Health to demand private information from pregnancy centers not offering abortion services. This law would have granted government officials access to the Sisters’ confidential documents, jeopardizing their relationships with women in crisis. The Sisters’ federal lawsuit prompted the State of New York to concede, which allows the Sisters to continue their crucial work supporting women in crisis pregnancies without interference.
Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of Becket, the organization representing the Sisters, hailed the court order as a victory for both the Sisters and the women they serve. He emphasized that the government should never have enacted such a law and celebrated the federal court order protecting the Sisters’ right to carry on their essential work without unnecessary interference.
