Lay ministers can pray, bring Eucharist to ill

The growth of lay ministry in the Albany Diocese has sparked Rev. Peter Sullivan of the Diocesan Tribunal to point out two things that many Catholics don't know:

* You don't have to be dying to receive the Anointing of the Sick; and

* any trained lay minister can bring the eucharist to a person who is ill. The only parts of the Anointing of the Sick that must be administered by a priest are the actual anointing with holy oil and Reconciliation.

Before the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the sacrament was known as Extreme Unction because it was administered by a priest only once, and only to a dying Catholic. The emphasis was on anointing and reconciliation, or confessing one's sins so one could receive the "viaticum," the Body and Blood of Christ given before death.

In 1983, Church teachings on this sacrament were revised to allow a priest to administer it to those who are not actively dying: in other words, it can be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then gets sick again; if the person has an ongoing illness; or before surgery. It can also be administered to sick children, the elderly and anyone who suffers from disease.

Father Sullivan, a canon lawyer, noted that the sacrament is an opportunity to receive God's healing grace and the support of the faith community, the Church.

That includes the support of laity serving as parish life directors, pastoral care ministers, chaplains and eucharistic ministers. They pray with the sick and their families, support them through illness or dying, and often are the individuals the parishioner readily recognizes.

"We now have a large number of lay parish life directors and pastoral care ministers caring for the sick and dying in our parishes," Father Sullivan said. "Even though this sacrament must be administered by a priest for reconciliation and anointing, it doesn't mean that only the priest can administer viaticum."

Canon (Church) law referring to the Anointing of the Sick, he said (also citing Luke 10:29-37 and James 5:13-16) states that a priest must "administer the anointing and reconciliation part of the sacrament," but do not prohibit a layperson from offering the viaticum to a sick or dying person in the absence of a priest.

"Today, the viaticum is routinely taken to the homebound, the sick and those in nursing homes," said Father Sullivan. "When possible, viaticum should be received within the celebration of the Mass, so that the sick person can receive the support of the whole community and enjoy reception of the Eucharist under both kinds, the Body and the Blood."

But "many times, that isn't possible for someone who is sick or dying. [Canon law] states that reception of the Eucharist 'in either kind' is acceptable."

Father Sullivan recalled attending dying people who were unable to swallow solid food. Even if they could only receive the Blood of Christ, he said, it was considered receiving the Eucharist.

"Because of the shortage of priests here in the Albany Diocese, it is important for our parish leaders to know that their presence and support in times of illness and death is both appreciated and needed," Father Sullivan concluded.

"Present theology on this matter emphasizes healing first and forgiveness of sin second. Often, a priest cannot be present for the Anointing of the Sick, but an appointed parish minister can certainly pray with that person and his or her family, be present for support as a representative of the community of the faithful, and [be] able to administer viaticum.

"By that minister's presence and support, healing of the soul certainly takes place. This is exactly what the Good Samaritan offered to the man on the road: support, anointing with oil and the prayer of faith needed for healing."

Learn more by searching for "viaticum" at the Vatican's website, www.vatican.va, or see the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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