Annointing of the Sick

[DIT]

I was wondering if anyone saw the latest press release from Rome concerning the Annointing of the Sick by Lay People or Deacons? The press released says that the sacrament of the Sick can only be performed by Bishops and Priests.

Rome quotes text from church council’s in the 1500’s and 1700’s as their reasons for not allowing Deacon’s and Lay People to perform the sacrament.

Since the Permanent Diaconate did not exist during these times, how can they use it as a quotation?

What is your opinion?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

DIT,

Of course the diaconate existed – it simply wasn’t a permanent order during parts of history. There is only one order of deacon and it doesn’t matter if one is going on to the priesthood (transitional deacon) or not – one is ordained exactly the same way to the same order.

Scripture makes it clear that the community is to call for the “presbuteroi” (elders) to do the anointing. A man ordained to the order of presbyter is what we call a priest. Although there were periods in the early Church where deacons did the anointing of the sick, Rome has determined that, at least at the present, deacons may not anoint.

Deacon Ed

 

[puzzleannie]

the sacrament of anointing forgives sins, therefore it is reserved to those ordained for this ministry, namely the bishops and priests.

 

[Plato]

DIT:

I was wondering if anyone saw the latest press release from Rome concerning the Annointing of the Sick by Lay People or Deacons? The press released says that the sacrament of the Sick can only be performed by Bishops and Priests.

Rome quotes text from church council’s in the 1500’s and 1700’s as their reasons for not allowing Deacon’s and Lay People to perform the sacrament.

Since the Permanent Diaconate did not exist during these times, how can they use it as a quotation?

What is your opinion?

Where can I get a copy of this press release?

Warm regards,

Plato

 

[Chatter163]

What is the purpose of this thread? Since when does the opinion of internet users figure into the Church’s understanding of the nature of a sacrament? Sounds to me like this is an attempt to cause trouble.:ehh:

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

DIT:

Since the Permanent Diaconate did not exist during these times…,

?

The Deacon may not have been actively used in the Church. But they knew of the Deacons place and function in the Church.

 

[Plato]

Chatter163:

What is the purpose of this thread? Since when does the opinion of internet users figure into the Church’s understanding of the nature of a sacrament? Sounds to me like this is an attempt to cause trouble.:ehh:

Whether on the internet or in person, some of us are members of the Catholic Church. As Catholics, we’re allowed to questions things. What’s your fear?

Plato

 

[Chatter163]

Whether on the internet or in person, some of us are members of the Catholic Church. As Catholics, we’re allowed to questions things. What’s your fear?

No fear, just the benefit of many years of experience, all of which collectively indicate that such “polls” are usually the tools of dissidents seeking to push an agenda.

 

[DIT]

Deacon Ed:

DIT,

Of course the diaconate existed – it simply wasn’t a permanent order during parts of history. There is only one order of deacon and it doesn’t matter if one is going on to the priesthood (transitional deacon) or not – one is ordained exactly the same way to the same order.

Scripture makes it clear that the community is to call for the “presbuteroi” (elders) to do the anointing. A man ordained to the order of presbyter is what we call a priest. Although there were periods in the early Church where deacons did the anointing of the sick, Rome has determined that, at least at the present, deacons may not anoint.

Deacon Ed

Deacon Ed - I agree in part. The diaconate in that period was only a transitional one for a man on his way to the priesthood. But during this time, most of these individuals never left the seminary so their service in the community was basically non-existent. Plus their time as deacons was less than a year to as little as six months.

Today’s permanent deacon is a visible minister in the church on a daily basis (much more than transitional deacons of that time period). Not only are they visible, but they also are more numerous than are transitional deacons today. That was my only point.

 

[Mattapoisett64]

puzzleannie:

the sacrament of anointing forgives sins, therefore it is reserved to those ordained for this ministry, namely the bishops and priests.

OK, but Baptism forgives sins, and Deacons are considered an ordinary minister of Baptism, yes? With many Deacons as hospital chaplains now, I have often wondered if the theology of Sacrament of the Sick should be re-thought. As the priest shortage continues and the “Baby Boomer” population ages, I fear that people will be deprived of the graces of this Sacrament for want of an available priest. This refers strictly to Anointing, not to Reconciliation performed in connection with Anointing which clearly requires a priest. Based on my own hospital experience, many of those in need of anointing are unconscious or the debilitated elderly (Alzheimer’s, senile dementia) and are seemingly incapable of confessing.

 

[DIT]

Chatter163:

No fear, just the benefit of many years of experience, all of which collectively indicate that such “polls” are usually the tools of dissidents seeking to push an agenda.

I hate to say that I am NOT pushing any agendas. I put this up because I wondered what the people reading the question would think of the recent guideline put out by Rome. I was trying to understand the basis for their decisions as well.

We can not hide the fact that the priest population is growing older and fewer in numbers. We are already seeing priests that service 2, 3, 4, or more parishes at a time. The availability of the sacraments is under fire. In major cities, it is becoming hard to find a priest or to get a priest to rush to a hospital to give “last rites” (or the sacrament of the anointing of the sick). This should make everyone who is Catholic very sad and very concerned.

Plain and simple, I was only wondering what people thought of receiving the anointing of the sick from those other than priests.