Anointing of Sick and Catholic Funeral for "prior" Catholic?

[crcath]

Can a Catholic who has received all of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony) receive Anointing of the Sick (“last rites”) and a Catholic funeral later in life even if he has currently “switched” to a born-again church instead of the Catholic Church? Am asking because our 24-year old son now wants to be “baptized” in his wife’s born-again church, and the above question has been heavily on my mind. I continue to pray earnestly for his return to the Catholic Church, but any (name removed by moderator)ut re: the above would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.

 

[bzkoss236]

I believe so, but only if they (the one dying) wish to receive it. Once a Catholic, always a Catholic, even if they are a bad one.

 

[Allegra]

Yes, but obviously, not against their will.

 

[JackieMom]

I don’t know the definitive answer, although I doubt a priest would deny a fallen away Catholic anointing of the sick if he requested it. Likely, your son will live many more decades, and his end-of-life and funeral decisions will be made by him via a will, and/or his surviving spouse and children. They will plan for whatever they are comfortable with. If your son is still active with the non-denoms at the end of his days, I assume they will hold services there.

If your son comes back to the church, he can make his wishes for Catholic services known in his will.

 

[1ke]

Can.* 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Can.* 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Someone who has left the Church is always welcome to return. Keep praying for him!

 

[crcath]

I believe so, but only if they (the one dying) wish to receive it. Once a Catholic, always a Catholic, even if they are a bad one.

Thanks for that (name removed by moderator)ut, bzkoss. I had also read somewhere “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic,” and I do take some comfort in that. Will pray until the day I day for his return to the Catholic Church!

 

[crcath]

Yes, but obviously, not against their will.

Thanks, Allegra. That makes sense. I pray it would never be against his will to have either of those Sacraments!

 

[crcath]

I don’t know the definitive answer, although I doubt a priest would deny a fallen away Catholic anointing of the sick if he requested it. Likely, your son will live many more decades, and his end-of-life and funeral decisions will be made by him via a will, and/or his surviving spouse and children. They will plan for whatever they are comfortable with. If your son is still active with the non-denoms at the end of his days, I assume they will hold services there.

If your son comes back to the church, he can make his wishes for Catholic services known in his will.

Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts, Jackie. Yes, I pray he lives many more decades and well beyond me. Will definitely keep praying for his return to the Catholic Church with trust in Our Lord’s merciful guidance both for him and me.
God bless.

 

[crcath]

Can.* 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Can.* 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.

Thanks, 1ke. A lot of that is Greek to me, unfortunately, but part of it sounds like one should check with a Priest if there are questions regarding eligibility for a Catholic funeral. Would that be an accurate interpretation?

 

[crcath]

Someone who has left the Church is always welcome to return. Keep praying for him!

Thanks, SMD! I definitely told him that and will continue to try my best in whatever ways are appropriate and non-threatening to lovingly help him find his way back “home” - even if it takes a lifetime. Praying for him is number one on my list! God bless you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[DL82]

As someone who became a Catholic from an Evangelical Protestant background, my advice would be to encourage your son to read the Bible - at least he takes the Christian faith seriously. Encourage him to look at how often in the Old Testament the sacrifice of priests is presented, the sacrifice of bread and wine offered by Melchizedek, and onwards. Encourage him to see what Christ says about His Church being one in John, what the letter to the Hebrews says about worship and sacrifice.

Scott Hahn, another ex-Protestant whose apologetics are steeped in Scripture, would be well worth a read.

Pax et bonum.

 

[crcath]

As someone who became a Catholic from an Evangelical Protestant background, my advice would be to encourage your son to read the Bible - at least he takes the Christian faith seriously. Encourage him to look at how often in the Old Testament the sacrifice of priests is presented, the sacrifice of bread and wine offered by Melchizedek, and onwards. Encourage him to see what Christ says about His Church being one in John, what the letter to the Hebrews says about worship and sacrifice.

Scott Hahn, another ex-Protestant whose apologetics are steeped in Scripture, would be well worth a read.

Pax et bonum.

Thanks very much for the suggestions, DL. He does do bible reading with their church group, so I will try to mention those points when the time comes up that’s appropriate.

I just finished reading “Rome Sweet Rome” by Hahn and his wife, and I found that excellent. Might be recommending that to him in the future.

Peace to you also, and God bless always. So glad you found the Catholic Church!