Cardinal Timothy Dolan reacted to the New York State Senate’s passage of a bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in the state during his “Conversations with Cardinal Dolan” radio show on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Channel, in an episode that will re-air on Wednesday, June 11, at 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, the State Senate passed bill 2025-S138 by a vote of 35-27. New York Governor Kathy Hochul must now decide whether to sign or veto the bill before it becomes law.

“I’m shocked but not surprised. I’m shocked that any civilized nation can do this. The places that have done it are now rethinking it. Canada and the Scandinavian countries are saying, ‘whoa, we didn’t mean this.’” Cardinal Dolan referred to it as “keeping up with the Kevorkians.”

Cardinal Dolan explained that there are compassionate alternatives to suicide.

“When I call the legislators about this, I say, ‘Would you come with me to visit Calvary Hospital?’ You see the happiest people. Surrounded by their loved ones. Prayer. Sacraments. Their pain is lessened in a very morally and medically licit way. They are ushered gracefully into the Lord’s embrace. And they don’t need anybody out there to give them an injection,” he said.

Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, which celebrated its 125^th anniversary in 2024, is part of ArchCare, the continuing care ministry of the Archdiocese of New York.

Cardinal Dolan said he spoke to Hochul briefly during the Puerto Rican Day parade in Manhattan on Sunday, June 8. “I said, ‘Governor, thanks for the budget, and thanks for the big increase in helping in the mental health crisis. Because suicide is in effect when somebody is struggling emotionally as well as physically, and that’s when people are so desperate, and we have to help their mental health so that they don’t choose suicide.” He continued, “She didn’t commit herself, but something tells me her gut’s not into this, so I’m hoping she’ll take the courageous, right thing to do and veto this.”

“Governor, please, we’re counting on you,” Cardinal Dolan said.

“Conversations with Cardinal Dolan” is also available on Catholic Faith Network, and as an abridged podcast.