The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

[Vico]

Confiteor Deo states on 9/13, quoting the Baltimore Catechism, Q 970:
“Extreme Unction will take away mortal sin if the dying person is no longer able to confess, provided he has the sorrow for his sins that would be necessary for the worthy reception of the Sacrament of Penance.”

Vico states on 9/24:
IT does not always forgive sins.
“Just as with the Sacrament of Penance, to receive sanctifying grace with Anointing of the Sick requires that the annointed at least have imperfect contrition for any serious sins.”

Ludwig Ott, in Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p 418 states:
“Extreme Unction effects the remission of grievous sins still remaining and of venial sins. (De Fide)
As Extreme Unction is a Sacrament of the Living, it presupposes in general the remission of grievous sins. But if a person in mortal sin is seriously ill and can no longer receive the Sacrament of Penance, or if he erroneously believes that he is free from grievous sin, Extreme Unction eradicates the grievous sins per accidens, but still by reason of Christ’s Institution. A necessary pre-condition of the forgiveness of sins is that the sinner has turned away from sin at least by an habitually continuing imperfect contrition.”

Assume a person declines to avail himself of the Sacrament of Penance for the forgiveness of a mortal sin, presuming that, on his deathbed, he will receive Extreme Unction and be freed of the eternal punishment due to that sin.

This seems to be a precarious course because the person may not have advance warning of impending death and sufficient time to receive Extreme Unction.

But also, isn’t the person’s failure to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, (assuming he understands the effects of that sacrament and that it was available) strong evidence that he was not in the state of “habitually continuing imperfect contrition” necessary to receive forgiveness of mortal sin through Extreme Unction? Is it sufficient if the person only experiences contrition at the time of receiving Extreme Unction?

Assuming contrition born on the deathbed is sufficient, a person who, for instance, is rendered comatose by an auto accident and dies without regaining consciousness will not experience such contrition. In that case, receiving Extreme Unction while in a coma would not be a sufficient remedy for the mortal sin, correct?

Thank you.

Really there are many interesting aspects to this sacrament. The sins are forgiven for those that may receive the sacrament, if not able to obtain the forgiveness of sin through the sacrament of Penance, due to their current state, but only if the person has the proper disposition (see especially CCEO 737.1).

CIC
Canon 1005 This sacrament is to be administered when there is a doubt whether the sick person has attained the use of reason, whether the person is dangerously ill, or whether the person is dead.
Canon 1006 This sacrament is to be conferred upon sick persons who requested it at least implicitly when they were in control of their faculties.
Canon 1007 The anointing of the sick is not to be conferred upon those who obstinately persist in manifest serious sin.

CCEO
Canon 740 Christian faithful who are gravely ill, who lack consciousness or the use of reason, are presumed to want this sacrament to be administered to them in danger of death or even at another time according to the judgment of the priest.
Canon 737.1. By the sacramental anointing of the sick with prayers of a priest, the Christian faithful who are gravely ill and sincerely contrite receive grace, by which, strengthened by the hope of eternal reward and absolved from sins, they are disposed to correct their lives and are helped in patiently enduring their infirmity and suffering.

Catechism

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52

 

[Thomas_Valli]

Very informative and well documented. Thank you.