Can Anyone Other Than A Priest Administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

While I am engaged in research and writing on a number of topics which have recently attracted my attention, I thought I would take a moment or two to address some questions which I have received from readers.

One such question concerned the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  The reader asks:  "Could a person other than a Priest administer the Sacrament?  What can a layperson do to spiritually assist the sick and the dying?"

It's a good and noble question and I hope to be able to provide some guidance and inspiration in responding to it.

The simple answer to the question is that only a Bishop or a Priest may validly administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

In a doctrinal note that was date February 11, 2005 (but subsequently made public on March 25th), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith referred to Canon 1003 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law as well as the decretals of the Council of Trent which mandate that the Anointing of the Sick is to be performed by those who have received the Sacrament of Priesthood, that is, Bishops and Priests.  The Congregation characterized this as "the definitive teaching of the Church".

This is true because the primary effect of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the forgiveness of sin.  Since only Christ can forgive sin, and since by virtue of their Ordination Bishops and Priests act in the person of Christ (in persona Christi), only Bishops and Priests can validly anoint.

The non-Ordained Catholic faithful assist the sick and the dying by being with them in their moments of suffering, encouraging them to receive the Sacraments and comforting them, assuring them of Christ's love and mercy.  By their prayers and steadfast attention to the needs of the sick and the dying, the non-Ordained witness to the love and compassion which the Lord Jesus offers to all who call upon Him.  In this way, the faithful help the sick and dying persevere in their Faith until they are called forth from this life by Our Loving Father.

Caregivers are urged not to wait until the last moments of life before encouraging the critically ill to request that a Priest be called to administer the Sacraments of the Church.  Every effort should be made to insure that the dying receive the Sacraments while they are still conscious and aware of the comfort and strength these offer.

Holy Communion given to the dying is referred to as Holy Viatecum.  This special reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, together with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick, as well as other prayers, readings from Sacred Scripture and words of reassurance can be a tremendous source of hope and peace to the dying.

The ancient Greeks practiced a custom of serving a dinner for those about to undertake a long journey.  During this meal, family members and friends provided food, clothing and money for the trip.  

The Romans adopted this same custom and gave it the title viaticum.  Over time, as Roman funeral customs developed, they took on ideas from classical literature and mythology, especially the idea of paying some type of fare for the transport of the soul from this world to the after-life.  This was based upon the common belief that the dead had to cross the mythical river Styx by paying Charon, the legendary boatman of the dead.

As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, these pagan practices were replaced by the pastoral care of the Church.  By the end of the 5th Century, viatecum came to be understood as the reception of Holy Communion as a pledge that the dying would be led into everlasting life.  This very definition of viatecum was part of the declaration of the Council of Orange in 441 AD.

These so-called "last rites" of the Church are wondrous gifts of the Holy Spirit Who strengthens the dying and preserves them from anguish and despair.  By means of these sacred rituals, the dying find peace and comfort as the Christian soul prepares to be called home to the Father.  

What true compassion, care and love we show our sick and dying relatives and friends when we invite them to know the serenity that the Sacraments can provide them.

Let us remember to pray for the sick and dying everyday and to pray for the repose of our beloved dead, especially during this precious time of November.