Last Rights

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Orleans_Attny

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I’ll try and be brief.

My body tried to kill me on Sunday. I have a massive blood clot in my aorta, and I have pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The doctor described it as a “life terminating event.” When I was in the ER a doctor whispered in my ear that he needed to know my wishes for WHEN I Code. Did I want a respirator? Chest Compressions? Or did I just want the doctors to make me comfortable? He said I had to tell him now, because in a few minutes I wouldn’t be able to tell him.

I asked for a Priest. Specifically (since I’m a Navy Officer) a Catholic Chaplain.

In largest Navy Hospital on the East Coast, in the largest Fleet Concentration Area on the Eastern Seaboard, guess how many Catholic Priest they have . . . .

Zero.

Guess how many contract priests they have . . .

Zero.

Guess how many Memorandums of Agreement they have with the diocese or local parishes to provide emergency services . . . . .

Zero.

So they sent me a nice Baptist minister, but that’s not what I needed. The next day the sent me a less nice minister (some variety of protestant) who not only didn’t help, but was exasperated that I was outraged that a dying sailor couldn’t get a Priest in a Naval Hospital in Norfolk. Neither of these gentlemen put in a reasonable effort to find me a priest.

Thankfully, I beat the odds (doctor’s words, not mine). But please pray for all those other sailors and marines and military dependents who find themselves in need. The car accidents. The shaken babies. The heart attacks. The blood clots. The cancer patients. The epileptics. And all the others.

Please pray that they can find a way to get their last sacraments when they need them. Because apparently it’s the responsibility of the dying person to get a priest to the ER or ICU to perform that greatest of all kindnesses.

Pax,
OA
 
Orleans_Attny said:
I’ll try and be brief.

My body tried to kill me on Sunday. I have a massive blood clot in my aorta, and I have pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The doctor described it as a “life terminating event.” When I was in the ER a doctor whispered in my ear that he needed to know my wishes for WHEN I Code. Did I want a respirator? Chest Compressions? Or did I just want the doctors to make me comfortable? He said I had to tell him now, because in a few minutes I wouldn’t be able to tell him.

I asked for a Priest. Specifically (since I’m a Navy Officer) a Catholic Chaplain.

In largest Navy Hospital on the East Coast, in the largest Fleet Concentration Area on the Eastern Seaboard, guess how many Catholic Priest they have . . . .

Zero.

Guess how many contract priests they have . . .

Zero.

Guess how many Memorandums of Agreement they have with the diocese or local parishes to provide emergency services . . . . .

Zero.

So they sent me a nice Baptist minister, but that’s not what I needed. The next day the sent me a less nice minister (some variety of protestant) who not only didn’t help, but was exasperated that I was outraged that a dying sailor couldn’t get a Priest in a Naval Hospital in Norfolk. Neither of these gentlemen put in a reasonable effort to find me a priest.

Thankfully, I beat the odds (doctor’s words, not mine). But please pray for all those other sailors and marines and military dependents who find themselves in need. The car accidents. The shaken babies. The heart attacks. The blood clots. The cancer patients. The epileptics. And all the others.

Please pray that they can find a way to get their last sacraments when they need them. Because apparently it’s the responsibility of the dying person to get a priest to the ER or ICU to perform that greatest of all kindnesses.

Pax,
OA
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I’ll definitely keep you in my prayers.

I have to hope that the situation that you encountered isn’t the norm. My pastor spent some time working as a hospital chaplain. As a Catholic priest working in a Catholic hospital, he was often called to the bedside of Catholic patients. But when the patients were not Catholic, it was part of his job to get a minister of their own choosing. He was to coordinate that process; that was part of his job description and he was well trained to do so. I’m stunned that the Navy could not provide the same.
 
Wow. A sign of the times and the shortage of priests, I guess. When I was in the Navy back in the 1970’s, Catholic chaplains were all over the place; now, the bishops can’t spare them from parish work. You should look into wearing the Brown Scapular.
 
Praying for this desperate situation you and others find yourself in. As well as an increase in vocations to the priesthood.
 
That’s pretty scary, and I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing this story. God bless
 
Firstly, praying for your recovery.

Also, praying for those who don’t have acess to sacraments including yourself.
 
Orleans_Attny said:
I’ll try and be brief.

My body tried to kill me on Sunday. I have a massive blood clot in my aorta, and I have pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The doctor described it as a “life terminating event.” When I was in the ER a doctor whispered in my ear that he needed to know my wishes for WHEN I Code. Did I want a respirator? Chest Compressions? Or did I just want the doctors to make me comfortable? He said I had to tell him now, because in a few minutes I wouldn’t be able to tell him.

I asked for a Priest. Specifically (since I’m a Navy Officer) a Catholic Chaplain.

In largest Navy Hospital on the East Coast, in the largest Fleet Concentration Area on the Eastern Seaboard, guess how many Catholic Priest they have . . . .

Zero.

Guess how many contract priests they have . . .

Zero.

Guess how many Memorandums of Agreement they have with the diocese or local parishes to provide emergency services . . . . .

Zero.

So they sent me a nice Baptist minister, but that’s not what I needed. The next day the sent me a less nice minister (some variety of protestant) who not only didn’t help, but was exasperated that I was outraged that a dying sailor couldn’t get a Priest in a Naval Hospital in Norfolk. Neither of these gentlemen put in a reasonable effort to find me a priest.

Thankfully, I beat the odds (doctor’s words, not mine). But please pray for all those other sailors and marines and military dependents who find themselves in need. The car accidents. The shaken babies. The heart attacks. The blood clots. The cancer patients. The epileptics. And all the others.

Please pray that they can find a way to get their last sacraments when they need them. Because apparently it’s the responsibility of the dying person to get a priest to the ER or ICU to perform that greatest of all kindnesses.

Pax,
OA
Click to expand...
If you are speaking of Naval Hospital Portsmouth, I did a little research and got a remarkably different answer.

Pastoral Services are available, and the phone number listed on the hospital website. After hours, the Quarter Deck phone number will connect you to the Duty Chaplain, who can find a Catholic Navy Chaplain or a Priest. He may not be immediately available, but my hunch is it would take no longer for a pastoral call than if a civilian were to contact his parish.

I’m sorry it was a difficult proposition, and I urge you contact the Hospital Chaplain’s office, so that perhaps a shipmate does not encounter a similar problem.

I’m glad you are on the mend!

Go Navy!
 
This is something that all of us should inquire about. Do hospitals in our areas have contact with local Catholic clergy?
 
This warrants a call to the Chancery, Vicar for Priests.
If someone dropped the ball, they’ll want to know, and if there is a glaring need, they’ll need to know.

Thanks be to God you are in recovery. :grouphug:
 
Orleans_Attny said:
I’ll try and be brief.

My body tried to kill me on Sunday. I have a massive blood clot in my aorta, and I have pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. The doctor described it as a “life terminating event.” When I was in the ER a doctor whispered in my ear that he needed to know my wishes for WHEN I Code. Did I want a respirator? Chest Compressions? Or did I just want the doctors to make me comfortable? He said I had to tell him now, because in a few minutes I wouldn’t be able to tell him.

I asked for a Priest. Specifically (since I’m a Navy Officer) a Catholic Chaplain.

In largest Navy Hospital on the East Coast, in the largest Fleet Concentration Area on the Eastern Seaboard, guess how many Catholic Priest they have . . . .

Zero.

Guess how many contract priests they have . . .

Zero.

Guess how many Memorandums of Agreement they have with the diocese or local parishes to provide emergency services . . . . .

Zero.

So they sent me a nice Baptist minister, but that’s not what I needed. The next day the sent me a less nice minister (some variety of protestant) who not only didn’t help, but was exasperated that I was outraged that a dying sailor couldn’t get a Priest in a Naval Hospital in Norfolk. Neither of these gentlemen put in a reasonable effort to find me a priest.

Thankfully, I beat the odds (doctor’s words, not mine). But please pray for all those other sailors and marines and military dependents who find themselves in need. The car accidents. The shaken babies. The heart attacks. The blood clots. The cancer patients. The epileptics. And all the others.

Please pray that they can find a way to get their last sacraments when they need them. Because apparently it’s the responsibility of the dying person to get a priest to the ER or ICU to perform that greatest of all kindnesses.

Pax,
OA
Click to expand...
The harvest are great but the laborers are few. Those who die in faith and by virtue of their Baptism, they will receive the forgiveness of sins and God will welcome them in His heavenly kingdom.

Our hearts are with our fellow Catholics who do not have the service of God’s ordained ministers, the priests, to minister to them the Sacraments when they need them most, but in the situation and because of desire, God is with them, knows and listens to their hearts and make good His promises of eternal life.

God bless.
 
Neofight said:
If you are speaking of Naval Hospital Portsmouth, I did a little research and got a remarkably different answer.

Pastoral Services are available, and the phone number listed on the hospital website. After hours, the Quarter Deck phone number will connect you to the Duty Chaplain, who can find a Catholic Navy Chaplain or a Priest. He may not be immediately available, but my hunch is it would take no longer for a pastoral call than if a civilian were to contact his parish.

I’m sorry it was a difficult proposition, and I urge you contact the Hospital Chaplain’s office, so that perhaps a shipmate does not encounter a similar problem.

I’m glad you are on the mend!

Go Navy!
Click to expand...
It is PNH, and their website doesn’t reflect reality. That’s the simple truth.

The best the hospital Chaplains could do is muster a eucharistic minister on the day I was being discharged. I can assure you they are unprepared for a request for last rites. And more importantly, the chaplain staff is incapable or unwilling of taking on the important task of finding a priest in such a situation. They apparently have no Memorandums of Agreement with the Diocese or local parishes. They have no contact information for local priests. And their not entirely sure how to find a Navy priest in the local area. I was there for days and saw two different chaplains. Both said they were working on it, both failed.

As an aside, the duty Chaplain isn’t even able to tell me the reconciliation schedule at the Navy Base in Norfolk - because they only use contract priests and apparently neglected to contract for reconciliation instead of just mass. It’s a very sad state of affairs.

The Navy Chaplain Corps has eviscerated the number of Catholic Priests in the Corpse. I don’t want to speculate as to the cause, but I’ll soon be in a position to find out.

Pax,
OA
 
Orleans_Attny said:
It is PNH, and their website doesn’t reflect reality. That’s the simple truth.

The best the hospital Chaplains could do is muster a eucharistic minister on the day I was being discharged. I can assure you they are unprepared for a request for last rites. And more importantly, the chaplain staff is incapable or unwilling of taking on the important task of finding a priest in such a situation. They apparently have no Memorandums of Agreement with the Diocese or local parishes. They have no contact information for local priests. And their not entirely sure how to find a Navy priest in the local area. I was there for days and saw two different chaplains. Both said they were working on it, both failed.

As an aside, the duty Chaplain isn’t even able to tell me the reconciliation schedule at the Navy Base in Norfolk - because they only use contract priests and apparently neglected to contract for reconciliation instead of just mass. It’s a very sad state of affairs.

The Navy Chaplain Corps has eviscerated the number of Catholic Priests in the Corpse. I don’t want to speculate as to the cause, but I’ll soon be in a position to find out.

Pax,
OA
Click to expand...
What did your pastor have to say after he found out what had happened?
Maybe he could influence the people who place chaplains.
 
But always remember, too, that Our Lord is merciful. Those who are facing death and would seek and desire a priest for anointing of the sick, but none is available would still have it’s benefit.

Much like the benefit of baptism of desire.
 
Marie5890 said:
But always remember, too, that Our Lord is merciful. Those who are facing death and would seek and desire a priest for anointing of the sick, but none is available would still have it’s benefit.

Much like the benefit of baptism of desire.
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But the last rites, or Viaticum, include three sacraments, not just one. Extreme unction, confession, and absolution.

I had not heard that all three would have benefit, as you say.
 
ComplineSanFran said:
But the last rites, or Viaticum, include three sacraments, not just one. Extreme unction, confession, and absolution.

I had not heard that all three would have benefit, as you say.
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Anointing of the sick, reconciliation, and eucharist.

I like to think God is not legalistic. This isn’t a game of gotcha. It is, however, an important part of life and a great comfort to Catholics who can receive the gift of the last rites.

Pax,
OA
 
Viaticum as per the Catechism, is not the same as anointing of the sick

V. Viaticum, the Last Sacrament of the Christian

1524 In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of “passing over” to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."140 The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.141

1525 Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called “the sacraments of Christian initiation,” so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life “the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland” or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.
 
Orleans_Attny said:
Anointing of the sick, reconciliation, and eucharist.

I like to think God is not legalistic. This isn’t a game of gotcha. It is, however, an important part of life and a great comfort to Catholics who can receive the gift of the last rites.

Pax,
OA
Click to expand...
Yes, thank you for the correction. I knew it, but my fingers seemed to have typed something else.

And I agree with you that God is not legalistic. It can be very difficult, tho, for someone who very much wants a priest when they are at the point of death and there is not one to be found. Understandable in rural areas - not so much in populated areas.
 
I’ll pray for your full recovery and for Catholic servicemen to be able to get a priest in an emergency. :signofcross:
 
Prayers ascending for you. And if this is any comfort, our parochial vicar joined the Navy last fall to train to become a Navy Chaplain, so at least there is one more priest now.

Wednesday I had to have an emergency cardiac cath with stent insertions, and since it involved a transfer to another hospital in an ambulance and was done on a stat basis, I never got to see any clergy before the cath. I know how you feel, but I also know God is merciful, and I prayed and made an Act of Contrition to Him. I did the best I could and feel God knew it. People are right, we must not be too legalistic about these things and trust the Lord.

In my situation, they could have contacted a priest, but there just was not time to wait–these things do happen. Made me realize that I must always depend on God’s mercy to keep me from sin, and stay close to God.

I pray you have a complete and speedy recovery from this most serious situation, and again, I have prayed for you.
 
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