Extreme Unction and the Absolution of Sin

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This thread has gotten me close to an answer for a similar question:

I have been working at a hospital and the other day the priest was with a Baptist patient. She has advanced stage cancer as well as some dementia so she’s in an out of it as far as her memory and reasoning. The priest gave her Anointing of the Sick (though she seemed like she was oblivious to what was going on). Since the priest would have known she’s Baptist should he have given the sacrament?

I am of the opinion that the priest desires for the patient to receive the graces of the sacrament considering she’s near death it should be fine and it would be valid. Wouldn’t we want to do what we can for our dying brother or sister even though they may not be Catholic?

If she asked for the Sacrament on her own, it is possible for the priest to request permission from the Bishop. Otherwise only Catholics can receive the Sacraments from a Catholic priest on a regular basis. Is it possible that she was Baptized Catholic and had left the Church and either she or her family let the priest know and he had spoken to her about returning to the Faith?

 

[andy314]

No, I don’t believe she has much family around and I’m pretty sure she was not baptised within the Catholic Church. She also would not have requested it given her condition.

 

[guanophore]

This thread has gotten me close to an answer for a similar question:

I have been working at a hospital and the other day the priest was with a Baptist patient. She has advanced stage cancer as well as some dementia so she’s in an out of it as far as her memory and reasoning. The priest gave her Anointing of the Sick (though she seemed like she was oblivious to what was going on). Since the priest would have known she’s Baptist should he have given the sacrament?

I am of the opinion that the priest desires for the patient to receive the graces of the sacrament considering she’s near death it should be fine and it would be valid. Wouldn’t we want to do what we can for our dying brother or sister even though they may not be Catholic?

And, unfortunately, 2/3 of Baptist congregations are made up of lapsed Catholics!