You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
I
InThePew
Guest
The question of “how sick is sick?” isn’t something which can be simply answered by some sort of Vatican decree; the principle of subsidiarity means that it’s best left to those at the coalface. Certainly there are some priests who will happily anoint anyone who moves and a few who don’t, and some Catholics who think that the sacrament is for anyone who feels a bit run down. At the same time, I’m not a doctor and I can’t exactly ask attendees at a mass for the sick to produce a doctor’s note justifying their need for the sacrament. All I can do is explain the criteria and leave it up to individual consciences.
Similarly, having previously been chaplain to a major hospital, I would say that, in general, if someone is sick enough to be in a hospital then they’re sick enough to be anointed. In fairness, there are some exceptions to that (day surgery for example) but I take the view that something like cardiology sounds pretty darn serious to me and so the person should probably be anointed. Likewise, when it comes to the elderly, while the canonical test refers to danger of death due to advanced age, it doesn’t specify a threshold obviously because this will be different throughout the world (we are, after all, a universal Church). There are some people I know in their late 80’s or even 90’s who are reasonably spritely and active, at the same time it only takes a single fall to dramatically change that (as an aside, I note that the author of that article himself died at 74). I would say that anyone who has reached the point of needing full time care should be anointed. Sure, they may well continue living for years - but that misses the point.
Allowance also needs to be made for particular circumstances. As an example, prior to going into lockdown, I anointed as many of our elderly parishioners as I could given the well known vulnerabilities to Covid-19 on the part of older people. I also anointed a parishioner who was a nurse aged in her late 40’s simply because she was going to be undertaking testing of suspected cases, putting her in a highly dangerous position. Another situation where circumstances need to be taken into account is patients in secure mental health facilities. Although not physically ill, there is a significantly heightened risk of self harm in such cases.
Ultimately, I’d agree that the pendulum has swung too far the other way - we’ve gone from people only requesting/receiving the sacrament when they were on the verge of death, to people only mildly unwell lining up to be anointed because of some vague perceived spiritual benefit. Still, proper reception of the sacrament needs to be encouraged. Sadly, it doesn’t get nearly as much airtime as it should possibly because it tends to only be administered at daytime anointing masses, and in institutions. I’d agree that better catechesis is needed but also wider appreciation of what is a beautiful sacrament.
Similarly, having previously been chaplain to a major hospital, I would say that, in general, if someone is sick enough to be in a hospital then they’re sick enough to be anointed. In fairness, there are some exceptions to that (day surgery for example) but I take the view that something like cardiology sounds pretty darn serious to me and so the person should probably be anointed. Likewise, when it comes to the elderly, while the canonical test refers to danger of death due to advanced age, it doesn’t specify a threshold obviously because this will be different throughout the world (we are, after all, a universal Church). There are some people I know in their late 80’s or even 90’s who are reasonably spritely and active, at the same time it only takes a single fall to dramatically change that (as an aside, I note that the author of that article himself died at 74). I would say that anyone who has reached the point of needing full time care should be anointed. Sure, they may well continue living for years - but that misses the point.
Allowance also needs to be made for particular circumstances. As an example, prior to going into lockdown, I anointed as many of our elderly parishioners as I could given the well known vulnerabilities to Covid-19 on the part of older people. I also anointed a parishioner who was a nurse aged in her late 40’s simply because she was going to be undertaking testing of suspected cases, putting her in a highly dangerous position. Another situation where circumstances need to be taken into account is patients in secure mental health facilities. Although not physically ill, there is a significantly heightened risk of self harm in such cases.
Ultimately, I’d agree that the pendulum has swung too far the other way - we’ve gone from people only requesting/receiving the sacrament when they were on the verge of death, to people only mildly unwell lining up to be anointed because of some vague perceived spiritual benefit. Still, proper reception of the sacrament needs to be encouraged. Sadly, it doesn’t get nearly as much airtime as it should possibly because it tends to only be administered at daytime anointing masses, and in institutions. I’d agree that better catechesis is needed but also wider appreciation of what is a beautiful sacrament.
D
Dovekin
Guest
First, I was hoping this would address some of the issues with covid-19. Thank you for saying something! It seems to me there are more issues, like anointing when contagion is probable.Ultimately, I’d agree that the pendulum has swung too far the other way - we’ve gone from people only requesting/receiving the sacrament when they were on the verge of death, to people only mildly unwell lining up to be anointed because of some vague perceived spiritual benefit. Still, proper reception of the sacrament needs to be encouraged.
Second, this argument reminds me of one about Reconciliation. We have gone from people only requesting it once after their baptism to people “only mildly unwell lining up.” I use your description for AoS because any description minimizing penance will likely be objectionable to someone, usually to me.
Third, and most importantly, is the spiritual significance of AoS. There is a humility associated with reception - I am not perfect, I need help - that many people lack. Exaltation is also associated - you are the anointed, the suffering are like Christ= the anointed one. These can be twisted at the extremes, but there is something in there that I think is desperately needed today. It is a memento mori for people who would like to hide death. There is a message from this sacrament that I think we struggle to attain.
I say this as someone who has been diabetic for 50+ years, so the issues of bodily illness are a constant concern. I am not sure how the categories of “serious” vs “grave” apply, or how “danger of death” is a criterion when missing a meal can land me in a hospital. I do not have answers…
I
InThePew
Guest
There are and there’s ben a bit of discussion lately about just how to safely anoint in these circumstances. The Rites obviously weren’t written with pandemics or the highly contagious in mind and so some lateral thinking is required in order to work out how best to administer the sacrament while also ensuring the safety of the priest and others.It seems to me there are more issues, like anointing when contagion is probable.
Certainly that’s true to an extent - Christmas and Easter (okay not this year) tend to bring them out of the woodwork and sometimes I get the feeling that I should be hearing more serious stuff than I am. Getting more people to confession is probably harder than getting them to be more forthcoming once they’re there.Second, this argument reminds me of one about Reconciliation. We have gone from people only requesting it once after their baptism to people “only mildly unwell lining up.” I use your description for AoS because any description minimizing penance will likely be objectionable to someone, usually to me.
Certainly there is in terms of recognising one’s own frailty but tbh I think the main reason why it’s not requested as much as it should is because it was traditionally only associated with those on the point of death and even now predominantly occurs in rest homes and hospitals and so people aren’t as familiar with it as they could or should be.Third, and most importantly, is the spiritual significance of AoS. There is a humility associated with reception - I am not perfect, I need help - that many people lack.
Having a father who’s diabetic makes me only too aware of the constant dangers and uncertainties associated with the illness - and then there’s the circulatory issues which, like cardiology sounds pretty darn serious to me. Ultimately, you know you’re own body and state of health so, knowing the criteria for receiving the sacrament, you’re the best person to judge whether it’s appropriate for you to do so.I am not sure how the categories of “serious” vs “grave” apply, or how “danger of death” is a criterion when missing a meal can land me in a hospital.
I
IanM
Guest
Yet many are currently being restricted against receiving other Sacraments by Church officials, no less.Ultimately, you know you’re own body and state of health so, knowing the criteria for receiving the sacrament, you’re the best person to judge whether it’s appropriate for you to do so.
I
InThePew
Guest
Not without good reason. Sacraments remain available for those who most need it, without the risk of compromising the health of those who administer them of of others in the community. Believe it or not, your bishop (like mine) are trying to do the best job they can under extraordinarily difficult circumstances without any sort of past experience or handbook to guide them. Just as the Rites for the sacrament of anointing don’t cover pandemics, so too there’s nothing in bishops’ school which helps them to know how to respond to something like this. Everyone is pretty much making it up as they go along - civil and ecclesial authorities alike - trying to work out how best to respond based on what little they have to guide them. If you really want to help, pray for them - they need it now more than ever!Yet many are currently being restricted against receiving other Sacraments by Church officials, no less.
Last edited:
- Status
- Not open for further replies.