Anointing = forgiveness?

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shamrocks74

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I was recently diagnosed with cancer. I haven’t been to church in a few weeks so I asked the priest if he would pray for me and told him of my diagnosis and that I’d be having surgery in a couple weeks. He asked if I had been anointed, and I told him that I hadn’t, so he brought me back into the church and performed the anointing of the sick.
My question: am I absolved of my sins? I know that generally the anointing absolves you of sins, but it was my understanding that it was only if you physically couldn’t get to confession.
I haven’t been to confession in about 6 months, so I’m just wondering if I am able to receive communion now, or if I still need to go to confession.
Thanks!
 
This is what is says in the Catechism:
1532 The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
  • the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
  • the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
  • the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
  • the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
  • the preparation for passing over to eternal life.
 
If you are aware of mortal sins and able to confess, you should go to confession.
 
The anointing absolves sin if you are unable to verbally confess. If you are able to verbally confess, the Church asks you to receive absolution in the ordinary way.
 
The Anointing of the Sick forgives you of your sins. If you are too ill to go to Confession, I think the Lord will understand this. However, if you are able, I would go to confession as well or call a priest to come to you.

Prayers to St. Peregrine on your diagnosis…I’m sorry to hear this. My mom is a Cancer survivor, so this is an issue dear to my heart.
 
veilofveronica said:
The Anointing of the Sick forgives you of your sins. If you are too ill to go to Confession, I think the Lord will understand this. However, if you are able, I would go to confession as well or call a priest to come to you.

Prayers to St. Peregrine on your diagnosis…I’m sorry to hear this. My mom is a Cancer survivor, so this is an issue dear to my heart.
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The Anointing of the Sick ONLY forgives mortal sins if the individual is NOT able to verbally confess. If one is of sound mind and able to speak, but unable to leave the house / hospital, one needs to call for a priest to make a confession.
 
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