Refusing the Eucharist at a Sick Call

[bobmac33]

I have a friend who was refused the Eucharist at a sick call at the hospital, after she had her first child. The Nun who was making the sick call asked her if she was registered at a Catholic Church, when she stated that she was not registered, the Nun stated that she could not give her Communion, but could pray with her. Since this episode my friend has not attended a Catholic Church.

Is there a guideline for non-Priests who make sick calls at hospitals?

I found that Canon 916 states the following:
“Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible”.

My friend was not asked wether she was conscience of a mortal sin. However based on my reading of the above Canon, she could have received anyway, since the sacrament of Confession was not readily available.

Thanks and God Bless,

Bob

 

[system]

There is a thread on the Liturgy Forum “EMHC taking Host after Mass”, many of the people posting there seem to know the rules for sick calls. You may want to ask your question in that thread.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There are two ways that sick calls are handles in hospitals. The usual way is for the person or their family to contact the parish that they are registered at. Their parish makes the arrangements either with their own priest, deacon or EMHC. Or makes arrangements with another church or the hospital Catholic chaplin.

The other way is (if the hospital allows because of HIPPA) when a person checks in they indicate their religion and the name of their church. It is possible that your friend registered at the hopsital as a Catholic. Since all Catholics are required to be registered at a parish somewhere. The nun could assume that she might have been a non-practicing Catholic.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

bobmac33:

I have a friend who was refused the Eucharist at a sick call at the hospital, after she had her first child. The Nun who was making the sick call asked her if she was registered at a Catholic Church, when she stated that she was not registered, the Nun stated that she could not give her Communion, but could pray with her. Since this episode my friend has not attended a Catholic Church.

Is there a guideline for non-Priests who make sick calls at hospitals?

I found that Canon 916 states the following:
“Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible”.

My friend was not asked wether she was conscience of a mortal sin. However based on my reading of the above Canon, she could have received anyway, since the sacrament of Confession was not readily available.

Thanks and God Bless,

Bob

I direct the EMHCs who bring Communion to the Sick in our parish.

I would have asked where does she go to church rather than where is she registered. I would not give Communion if it became obvious that she had not been to Church for some time without good reason.

If it was apparent that she needed to go to Confession I would send one of the priests to see her.

I don’t understand your comment since the sacrament of Confession was not readily available. Priests are always available to attend the sick in the hospital; immediately if there is danger of death, within a day or so if there is no emergency.