Anointed and forgiven without confessing?

[CMatt25]

I knew in Catholic belief that someone near death who was unable to verbally confess their sins, was absolved. But here Fr Serpa says someone who physically went to a priest for Anointing prior to surgery was absolved of sin even though the person did not tell the priest what the sin was. So if anyone just receives an Anointing, they are absolved of sin without actually having to confess the sin to the priest?

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=8342746&postcount=1

 

[Mintaka]

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick includes more than just anointing. As with Baptism, there are a good many associated rituals that run alongside the main one.

The basic assumption of the Sacrament is that it’s probably being given to somebody in danger of death. Even if you’re not, you’re probably sicker than a monkey and really need Sacraments. So the full ritual of Anointing includes both the Sacrament of Penance (aka Confession) and then Holy Communion.

If the priest cannot communicate with a penitent, even in normal Confession, he can still absolve the person if he has reason to believe they are penitent. The sicker you are, the more generous the Church is when it comes to Sacraments. If you are totally unconscious, Father can still absolve you in Anointing. He does so conditionally to avoid any violation of your free will, just in case you’re really determined not to repent.(They don’t generally give Communion to unconscious people, because you wouldn’t want to choke somebody and there are other reasons. But you don’t have to be all there to receive Communion, either.)

When Father finishes the actual anointing with oil part, there’s also an Apostolic Blessing that is to be given to those in danger of death. It’s a plenary indulgence, so then you would totally be right and tight and ready to go. Or not go, if God so pleases to keep you here. Either way, you’re good.

 

[CMatt25]

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick includes more than just anointing. As with Baptism, there are a good many associated rituals that run alongside the main one.

The basic assumption of the Sacrament is that it’s probably being given to somebody in danger of death. Even if you’re not, you’re probably sicker than a monkey and really need Sacraments. So the full ritual of Anointing includes both the Sacrament of Penance (aka Confession) and then Holy Communion.

If the priest cannot communicate with a penitent, even in normal Confession, he can still absolve the person if he has reason to believe they are penitent. The sicker you are, the more generous the Church is when it comes to Sacraments. If you are totally unconscious, Father can still absolve you in Anointing. He does so conditionally to avoid any violation of your free will, just in case you’re really determined not to repent.(They don’t generally give Communion to unconscious people, because you wouldn’t want to choke somebody and there are other reasons. But you don’t have to be all there to receive Communion, either.)

When Father finishes the actual anointing with oil part, there’s also an Apostolic Blessing that is to be given to those in danger of death. It’s a plenary indulgence, so then you would totally be right and tight and ready to go. Or not go, if God so pleases to keep you here. Either way, you’re good.

I know but in the case I linked it sounded to me like the person would have been able to communicate. The poster even said he did not tell the priest the sin. Also am I mistaken or have churches sometimes scheduled general Anointng of the Sick opportunities for any one to come forth for? It seems I’ve known churches in the past that have done this.

 

[vwtaylorii]

Sacrament of the Annoiting of the Sick can be seen in Jm 5: 14-15

Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

 

[CMatt25]

Sacrament of the Annoiting of the Sick can be seen in Jm 5: 14-15

Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

I know. I just didn’t know if someone was able to communicate, that they would still be forgiven even if they did not tell the priest the sin.

 

[CaptainPicard]

The Church says that you have to confess if you can. If you can’t, the sacrament of anointing will still enact forgiveness of sins – provided you weren’t unrepentant.

Here’s a little article on the canons on the sacrament. It’s pretty quick and I found it informative. I’d recommend reading it if you want to learn a little more about Church’s rules regarding anointing.

ewtn.com/expert/answers/anointing_of_the_sick.htm

 

[CMatt25]

The Church says that you have to confess if you can. If you can’t, the sacrament of anointing will still enact forgiveness of sins – provided you weren’t unrepentant.

Here’s a little article on the canons on the sacrament. It’s pretty quick and I found it informative. I’d recommend reading it if you want to learn a little more about Church’s rules regarding anointing.

ewtn.com/expert/answers/anointing_of_the_sick.htm

I know. But I’m just still confused because the person specifically said to Fr Serpa in the post I linked that he went to a priest before surgery. Did not tell the priest the sin. But Fr Serpa still said the person was forgiven. It sounded to me like the person was capable of confessing the sin at the time.

 

[CaptainPicard]

I know. But I’m just still confused because the person specifically said to Fr Serpa in the post I linked that he went to a priest before surgery. Did not tell the priest the sin. But Fr Serpa still said the person was forgiven. It sounded to me like the person was capable of confessing the sin at the time.

Oh I see. It could be that it wasn’t done the way the Church wanted it to be done (confession before anointing) but that fact doesn’t invalidate the sacrament. This is just a guess, though, I really don’t know.