Q. I work in healthcare and have witnessed the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick many times. How would the Sacrament be celebrated for someone with the coronavirus?
A. A very timely question. Thank you for asking it.
Priests in the Diocese of Lincoln have received guidelines for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and would follow the protocols of the local hospital or nursing facility.
I have spoken recently to several priests from all across southern Nebraska who have visited hospitals, memory care facilities and nursing homes to celebrate the last sacraments: the Anointing of the Sick, Confession, the Eucharist and the Apostolic Pardon.
Each priest I spoke with told me that each facility they visited was very cooperative, helpful and accommodating of the family’s request and the patient and priest’s needs. The priests said it helped that they called ahead telling those at the facilities to expect them and they said each hospital or facility had everything ready for them.
The hospitals and extended care facilities provided everything the priests needed for them to remain safe and to protect residents, patients and healthcare professionals. The priests told me that healthcare professionals were very gracious and helpful to them.
The priests follow the local healthcare facilities’ protocols by scrubbing their hands with sanitizer and donning facemasks, plastic gloves and in some circumstances, goggles and gowns.
The priests then celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as outlined in the ritual of the Pastoral Care of the Sick. The two main elements of the Sacrament of Anointing is the laying on of hands and anointing the forehead and the palms of each hand with the Oil of the Infirmed. During this time of pandemic and the possibility of contagion, the priests can pour oil on a cotton swab and use the swab to anoint the patient. Very possibly, the medical facility may need to burn, destroy or decontaminate anything exposed to or used during the anointing. That is, the facility will burn the cotton swab and any other related materials.
Apart from these precautions, ordinarily the ritual is followed as usual. I believe I can speak on behalf of all priests in extending our sincerest and heartfelt thanks to all healthcare professionals who are now on the front lines of helping keep their patients and the general public safe. You have our prayers and our gratitude.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
