Catholic Hospice Chaplains

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GratefulFred

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I realize we have fewer Priests these days and they cannot be everywhere for everyone.

Does anyone know if the Catholic Church trains and approves civilians acting as Catholic Hospice Chaplains for those who are near death and dying?

It seems to me that if one is near death, a Priest is needed. Even a Deacon can’t hear a final Confession. Perhaps a Deacon can administer the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick, I don’t know, but as far as I know, not the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

While the dying do need spiritual comfort and prayer, a civilian Catholic chaplain seems to be a road block to a visit by a Priest.

I’d like some clarity.
 
An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can bring communion and the viaticum to the dying, but a priest would be needed to administer the anointing of the sick or hear confessions.

Presumably a lay chaplain would be able to obtain a priest when required.
 
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is required for most all seminarians, including Roman Catholics. They work in hospitals and hospices, as well as other facilities. Most hospices will have a chaplain or spiritual counselor on staff, but it could be someone from any faith tradition. Usually, if the chaplain knows that the patient is RC, she or he will have a priest ‘on call’ as it were for when the last sacraments are needed.

It isn’t always possible, but it’s what we have (in the US at least.)
 
Our parish priests continue to visit when someone enters Hospice.

When someone is home bound, they receive weekly visits from our ministry team, with month visits from a priest.

When someone enters Hospice, they receive as many visits as they need. Maybe weekly, until the patient is nearer the end, then daily.

My own parents saw a priest each day of their last 3 days.
 
GratefulFred said:
I realize we have fewer Priests these days and they cannot be everywhere for everyone.

Does anyone know if the Catholic Church trains and approves civilians acting as Catholic Hospice Chaplains for those who are near death and dying?

It seems to me that if one is near death, a Priest is needed. Even a Deacon can’t hear a final Confession. Perhaps a Deacon can administer the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick, I don’t know, but as far as I know, not the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

While the dying do need spiritual comfort and prayer, a civilian Catholic chaplain seems to be a road block to a visit by a Priest.

I’d like some clarity.
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Why would a lay spiritual care giver be a roadblock? A hospice chaplain will always seek to connect a patient with a clergy of the patient’s own faith while at the same time be providing expert end of life spiritual companionship beyond the rituals.
 
Michael_Mayo said:
Why would a lay spiritual care giver be a roadblock? A hospice chaplain will always seek to connect a patient with a clergy of the patient’s own faith while at the same time be providing expert end of life spiritual companionship beyond the rituals.
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The only ‘roadblock’ I can imagine is that perhaps the priest might think that the patient has been care for sacramentally. Other than that, IMHO, the more spiritual care that can be available, the better.
 
There is the National Association of Catholic Chaplains which is a Chaplain certification organization to answer the first part of your question.

I do think the shortage of Priests is affecting the situation. I am starting to see more nursing homes with Communion Services or prayer times followed by the LEM’s distributing the Eucharist rather than the local Priest holding a Mass.

Generally speaking the majority of hospice patients have dementia or some level of deep confusion. Because one of the requirements for mortal sin is having knowledge that an action is a grave sin, theses patients are not able to commit this type of sin. This allows a Priest to visit months ahead of time and pronounce absolution which would cover the person due to the inability to commit the mortal sin following that absolution.

The families usually still want the Priest there near the end, but sacramentally speaking the person is usually “covered” in the prior weeks or months.

Good Question!
 
ChurchSoldier said:
There is the National Association of Catholic Chaplains which is a Chaplain certification organization to answer the first part of your question.

I do think the shortage of Priests is affecting the situation. I am starting to see more nursing homes with Communion Services or prayer times followed by the LEM’s distributing the Eucharist rather than the local Priest holding a Mass.

Generally speaking the majority of hospice patients have dementia or some level of deep confusion. Because one of the requirements for mortal sin is having knowledge that an action is a grave sin, theses patients are not able to commit this type of sin. This allows a Priest to visit months ahead of time and pronounce absolution which would cover the person due to the inability to commit the mortal sin following that absolution.

The families usually still want the Priest there near the end, but sacramentally speaking the person is usually “covered” in the prior weeks or months.
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Thank you, everyone.

I do recall that he announced that he completed his certification - rather extensive in time and submitted written reports - but I could not recall who certified him. So the referral to NACC helped me.

My concern came from his FB posts - quite moving with, of course no names, just the encounters - but never a statement of bringing Holy Eucharist or calling in a Priest as needed. I never considered that the Sacraments may have been received much earlier and his ministry is the follow on comfort which is, indeed, a very good ministry.
 
GratefulFred said:
I realize we have fewer Priests these days and they cannot be everywhere for everyone.

Does anyone know if the Catholic Church trains and approves civilians acting as Catholic Hospice Chaplains for those who are near death and dying?

It seems to me that if one is near death, a Priest is needed. Even a Deacon can’t hear a final Confession. Perhaps a Deacon can administer the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick, I don’t know, but as far as I know, not the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

While the dying do need spiritual comfort and prayer, a civilian Catholic chaplain seems to be a road block to a visit by a Priest.

I’d like some clarity.
Click to expand...
This is a very good question I’m glad you asked about. I’m reading all the comments from the posters and I’ll also ask the priest at our Church about this too.

God Bless You 🙂
 
In the Catholic faith the term “Chaplain” is reserved for priests.

Article 1 of the 1997 INSTRUCTION* “ON CERTAIN QUESTIONS REGARDING THE COLLABORATION OF THE NON-ORDAINED FAITHFUL IN THE SACRED MINISTRY OF PRIEST”* is clear
(…) It is unlawful for the non-ordained faithful to assume titles such as “pastor”, “chaplain”, “coordinator”, " moderator" or other such similar titles which can confuse their role and that of the Pastor, who is always a Bishop or Priest.(58)
 
With a great deal of effort, we have found a way to be faithful to the letter and spirit of Canon Law and the 1997 Instruction and, at the same time, assure the continued ministry of competent, certified religious and lay health care ministers in institutions throughout the country. We will do this by separating out “endorsement for ministry” from the “certification by the profession.”

Should the local Ordinary choose to commission those who are certified or recertified by the NACC, they will likely commission the individual who is a religious sister, brother, or lay person as “lay ecclesial health care minister.”

The NACC will issue the certificate as “chaplain” for the sake of “the profession” for the hiring institution.

This distinction enables us to be faithful to Canon Law as we will use the title “lay ecclesial health care minister” in ecclesial settings. It will also meet the requirements of institutions that employ and provide compensation only for those certified as “chaplains.”

nacc.org/vision/articles/use-of-title-chaplain.asp
 
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