anointing of the sick

[CeceH]

HI, I am new to this forum . I had a RCIA candidate that dropped out about 6 months into the classes. We had heard that it had to do with his wife not being thrilled about him becoming Catholic. Last night I received a phone call from him and he told me he is still thinking about becoming Catholic, his only problem was with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick. He could not understand why the Church would not allow non Catholics to be anointed. He said that we are called to be compassionate, and that it is not compassionate to with
hold this Sacrament from non Catholics. I know that Canon Law 844,4 allows anointing non Catholics under certain circumstances. I just need more guidance in order to help him. Thanks

 

[bilop]

HI, I am new to this forum . I had a RCIA candidate that dropped out about 6 months into the classes. We had heard that it had to do with his wife not being thrilled about him becoming Catholic. Last night I received a phone call from him and he told me he is still thinking about becoming Catholic, his only problem was with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the sick. He could not understand why the Church would not allow non Catholics to be anointed. He said that we are called to be compassionate, and that it is not compassionate to with
hold this Sacrament from non Catholics. I know that Canon Law 844,4 allows anointing non Catholics under certain circumstances. I just need more guidance in order to help him. Thanks

Here’s the Canon Law:

§3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the Catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

§4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other Christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

Other Christians may receive the sacrament providing 1) they ask for it themselves 2) have a catholic understanding of what the sacraments mean.

These people are implicitly becoming Catholic (or are already Catholics in schism, in the case of the Orthodox) by accepting confession and Eucharist.

A non-baptized person would not need Anointing; the need only request Catholic baptism, which will forgive ALL their sins and make them Catholic.

Hope that helps.

God Bless