--- James Connolly <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> --- Patrick Nugent <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > And indeed the position stands today, in practice.
> > Two of my siblings who
> > died shortly after birth were baptized by my
> > mother's Jewish obstetrician
> > (in rural, Baptist, North Carolina, no less)
> >
> >
> > Patrick Nugent
> >
> Is this the case with any of the other sacraments, for
> example the last rites?
>
> Jim
I'm sorry that two of Patrick's siblings had to die to illustrate the
point; but illustrate it they do, very clearly.
May I take the opportunity to make another point: there ARE no "last
rites." There is no such sacrament. It does not exist. It is a
fiction, or a misunderstanding. Search the catechism from beginning to
end, or the code of canon law, and you will find no reference to "the
last rites". By all let this be heard.
What is actually done near the time of death is the sacrament of the
anointing of the sick, or holy unction as it used to be called.
The code of canon law says, (Canon 1003 § 1) "Every priest, but only a
priest, can validly administer the anointing of the sick". As you see,
this clearly precludes the valid administration of the sacrament by
anyone other than a priest.
Contrast the canon relating to baptism (Canon 861 § 2) "If the ordinary
minister is absent or impeded, a catechist or some other person deputed
to this office by the local Ordinary [normally, the Bishop], may
lawfully confer baptism; indeed, in a case of necessity, any person
who has the requisite intention may do so."
This distinction is not arbitrary but derives from scripture. James
5:14, from which (along with Mark 6:13) the sacrament derives its
scriptural authority, says, "Is any among you sick? Let him call for
the elders [presbyteroi, i.e. priests] of the church, and let them pray
over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord . . ."
There is no scriptural authority for anyone other than a priest
conferring the sacrament of anointing; on the other hand, there are
scriptural instances of people other than priests conferring the
sacrament of baptism; e.g. Philip the Deacon at Acts 8:12 and 8:38.
Oriens.
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