When a Catholic Priest is called - Extreme Unction

by TrollAng 09.10.11 16:13

The Sacrament of Extreme Unction
Catholic writing of James 5:14-15 >
"Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
1. What is the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?
Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body to persons who are in danger of death.
The words "Extreme Unction" mean "last anointing." In Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, the body is anointed with holy oil.
In the Sacrament of Extreme Unction the body is anointed for the last time. Hence the name.

2. How is Extreme Unction given?
After praying over the sick person, the priest anoints (makes the Sign of the Cross with the Holy Oil) on the person's eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands, and feet.

3. What does the priest say while anointing the sick person?
He says: "Through this holy anointing, and by His most tender mercy, may the Lord pardon you what sins you have committed by sight (hearing, speech, and so on)."

4. What does Extreme Unction do for your soul?
The Sacrament of Extreme Unction --
a. Gives you more Sanctifying Grace;
b. Helps you to bear your sufferings;
c. Strengthens you against the temptations of the devil;
d. Sometimes gives back your health;
e. Takes away temporal punishment due to sin;
f. Prepares you for immediate entry into Heaven.

5. Does Extreme Unction take away sin?
Extreme Unction takes away --
a. All your venial sins
b. even your mortal sins if you are unable to confess them but are truly sorry for them.

6. Who can give Extreme Unction?
Only a Catholic priest.

7. Who can receive Extreme Unction?
Any Catholic in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident not only can, but should receive Extreme Unction. However, it may not be given to infants or to anyone who has never had the use of reason.

8. When should you receive Extreme Unction?
Whenever the sickness or accident is so serious that it could cause death.
Examples: Pneumonia, heart attack, a serious car accident.

9. How often can you receive Extreme Unction?
Only once in the same danger of death. However, if a new danger arises, you can receive it again.

10. What should be done in case of sudden death?
Send for a priest right away, because Extreme Unction may be given even after a person is apparently dead.
Even when a person displays all the usual manifestations of death, the soul may still not have departed from the body. Therefore, the Church allows Extreme Unction to be administered after "death" has occurred.

11. Why is it wrong to wait until the sick person is unconscious before sending for the priest?
Because the sick person must be conscious in order to benefit the most from the Sacrament.

12. What kind of sin is it to deprive a sick person of Extreme Unction?
A mortal sin.
It often happens that a convert is the only Catholic in a family. If this is your case, therefore, you should tell your relatives to send for the priest if you are ever in danger of death.

13. What should be done before the priest comes to anoint the sick person?
Spread a white cloth on a table beside the bed. Then put a crucifix, two blessed candles, a bottle of holy water, a glass of drinking water, a spoon and some cotton on the table. A member of the family, carrying a lighted candle, should meet the priest at the door and lead him to the sickroom.
No one should talk to the priest, for he probably has the Holy Eucharist with him. Everyone should kneel down when he enters.
If you do not have the above items, call the priest anyway.

14. What does the priest do when he enters the sickroom?
First, he says some prayers, sprinkles the sick person with holy water and hears his Confession.
Then he gives him Holy Communion and Extreme Unction, and finally, the Last Blessing.
All of these together are called the Last Sacraments or Last Rites of the Church. (Everyone else leaves the room while the priest hears the sick person's Confession.)

PRACTICAL POINTS

1. Do not worry that a sick person will be frightened by the priest, because Catholics should always be glad to see the priest in order to receive the comforts that only the Sacraments can bring.

2. If you are going to be a patient in a non-Catholic hospital, tell your parish priest which one you are going to and how long you expect to be there. Also, tell the doctors and nurses that you are Catholic and that they should send for a priest if you become critical or serious.

3. Catholics should be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Tell your relatives to see your parish priest about your funeral. Or, make the arrangements yourself ahead of time.

4. Catholics are forbidden to have their bodies cremated, except in case of a serious public necessity. The Catholic burial service is denied those who give orders to have their bodies cremated.

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by Lemain 09.10.11 18:28

TrollAng wrote:
7. Who can receive Extreme Unction?
Any Catholic in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident not only can, but should receive Extreme Unction. However, it may not be given to infants or to anyone who has never had the use of reason.

On the subject of priests, etc., I remember from the contemporaneous news reports comments about the parents spending a lot of time with the priest and one relative -- was it one of their parents? -- saying that they'd never known them to be at all religious or even regular churchgoers. Mind you, to be fair, people at times of stress often turn to the Church for help and if for no other reason, an anchor to their past and happier times.

by **PeterMac** 09.10.11 20:17

Roll on the Iron age !

by Guest 09.10.11 20:38

Lemain wrote:
TrollAng wrote:
7. Who can receive Extreme Unction?
Any Catholic in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident not only can, but should receive Extreme Unction. However, it may not be given to infants or to anyone who has never had the use of reason.
.

The child of five years, or perhaps even four, who has received proper religious training from his parents might well fulfill the conditions for the reception of the Viaticum. And it should be noted that the Code not only permits but even commands that the Holy Eucharist be administered in such a case (Can. 852, § 2).

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by Lemain 09.10.11 20:52

Molly wrote:The child of five years, or perhaps even four, who has received proper religious training from his parents might well fulfill the conditions for the reception of the Viaticum.

Again, from a memory of contemporaneous news reports, didn't the priest at PdL say something to the effect that he felt he'd been 'used'?

by Gillyspot 09.10.11 22:37

Lemain wrote:
Molly wrote:The child of five years, or perhaps even four, who has received proper religious training from his parents might well fulfill the conditions for the reception of the Viaticum.

Again, from a memory of contemporaneous news reports, didn't the priest at PdL say something to the effect that he felt he'd been 'used'?

Apparently so, well according to the Daily Mail

"The Portuguese priest who comforted Gerry and Kate McCann in the days after Madeleine vanished last night said he had been deceived, it has emerged.

According to reports, Father Jose Manuel Pacheco claimed he had done nothing wrong and was simply "supporting two lost souls."

But, bizarrely, he also appeared to say he had been the victim of some form of deception.

It has also emerged Father Pacheco was apparently called in to see his superior, Algarve Bishop Manuel Quintas and warned about his behaviour.
In the days after Madeleine vanished on May 3, the McCanns, both 39 and devout Catholics, frequently sought refuge at the priest's church.
They became so close to Father Pacheco, he gave them the keys to the tiny building so they could go in to pray whenever they liked.
However, his friendship with the couple appeared to spectacularly backfire after police became convinced Kate had told him she had killed her daughter during confession.
But he has vowed to take whatever she had said to the grave, despite being quizzed by detectives.
Father Pacheco appeared to virtually vanish from the public eye in the weeks after Gerry and Kate were made arguidos - or official suspects.
The pair left Portugal without saying goodbye and handed the church keys to another clergyman.

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by Gillyspot 09.10.11 22:52

Just had a further look on the priest (the above article was in October 2007 and in December he denies it.

"PRAIA DA Luz church is receiving the image of Our Lady of Fátima on Monday, December 18, in a special visit to the region and this is the reason why ribbons and images of Madeleine McCann have been temporarily removed from its interior, according to father José Manuel Pacheco, the local catholic priest .

Praia da Luz’s community “has not forgotten the little British girl and special prayers are still being held every Friday,” father José Manuel Pacheco told The Resident.

The catholic priest was reacting to reports in the UK’s Daily Express in which he is said to have “ordered the removal of scores of green and yellow ribbons which were put up as a symbol of hope in the days after Madeleine vanished”. The British newspaper quotes a “close friend to the priest” as saying that the latter “can’t even hear the Madeleine case mentioned without becoming irate.” A statement that father José Manuel Pacheco describes as “barbarity” and a “lie”. “I do not know who that ‘friend’ might be, but I doubt such person is my friend”, he told The Resident.

Church key

With regards to the key to Praia da Luz church that the McCanns were given after Madeleine went missing, so that the couple could pray in privacy, “that was a decision made by the Conselho Pastoral and I only knew about it three days later”.

Father José Manuel Pacheco said: “Madeleine McCann’s parents know that we support them and that is the most important thing. The family kept very close and good relations with the church and its representatives in Praia da Luz”.

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by russiandoll 09.10.11 23:12

he is the representative of the mccann catholic faith yet despite Kates attachment to his lovely little church in PDL he barely figures in her book. So something has happened to diminish his significance imo.

by Gillyspot 09.10.11 23:23

russiandoll wrote:he is the representative of the mccann catholic faith yet despite Kates attachment to his lovely little church in PDL he barely figures in her book. So something has happened to diminish his significance imo.

In her "novel" Kate insults the entire Portuguese community (apart from the "support" given by "locals" - aka peasants). It is all Hayne Hubbard at the little church in PDL. So poor José Manuel Pacheco is ignored also. Note that John Hill (Manager of Ocean Club) doesn't get much of a mention although he apparently arranged Bell Pottinger and a large amount of support for the McCann parents.

by **Jill Havern** 10.10.11 8:56

The McCanns will be particularly disappointed at reports that Jose Manuel Pacheco, the Roman Catholic priest who befriended them, has ordered every trace of the Madeleine appeal removed from his church of Our Lady of the Light.

The tiny white-washed building became a focal point of the Find Madeleine campaign, and was later searched by police looking for the body.

But Friends of Fr Pacheco said he could no longer bear to discuss the case.

“Even when his friends broach the subject he immediately changes it,” said one.

“He says it is an extremely unpleasant situation and the McCann family only ever brought him problems.

“He even told one friend they ruined his life.

“There are two completely different Pachecos, the one before the McCanns and this shell of a man after the McCanns. He is a nervous wreck.”

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by Guest 10.10.11 17:50

It gets refuted here, I wonder who the "friend" was?

Praia da Luz priest denies reports in UK newspaper
Updated: 13-Dec-2007

By: CECÍLIA PIRES

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PRAIA DA Luz church is receiving the image of Our Lady of Fátima on Monday, December 18, in a special visit to the region and this is the reason why ribbons and images of Madeleine McCann have been temporarily removed from its interior, according to father José Manuel Pacheco, the local catholic priest .

Praia da Luz’s community “has not forgotten the little British girl and special prayers are still being held every Friday,” father José Manuel Pacheco told The Resident.

The catholic priest was reacting to reports in the UK’s Daily Express in which he is said to have “ordered the removal of scores of green and yellow ribbons which were put up as a symbol of hope in the days after Madeleine vanished”. The British newspaper quotes a “close friend to the priest” as saying that the latter “can’t even hear the Madeleine case mentioned without becoming irate.” A statement that father José Manuel Pacheco describes as “barbarity” and a “lie”. “I do not know who that ‘friend’ might be, but I doubt such person is my friend”, he told The Resident.

Father José Manuel Pacheco ensures that “priests have no power to order anything in our churches. We have an entity for that, which is the Conselho Pastoral, where the catholic community is represented”.

Church key

With regards to the key to Praia da Luz church that the McCanns were given after Madeleine went missing, so that the couple could pray in privacy, “that was a decision made by the Conselho Pastoral and I only knew about it three days later”.

Father José Manuel Pacheco said: “Madeleine McCann’s parents know that we support them and that is the most important thing. The family kept very close and good relations with the church and its representatives in Praia da Luz”.

Madeleine McCann has now been missing for 225 days and her parents renew appeals every day looking for “that piece of information” that will lead to her being found. In contrast, the police investigation being carried out in Portugal continues to focus on the couple as the main suspects for her probable death.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Madeleine McCann, please contact the McCann helpline on +34 902 300 213 or the Portuguese Police on +351 282 405 400.

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by Smokeandmirrors 10.10.11 17:51

I've often wondered what the truth is behind the Fr Pacheco rumours. He seems to deny a problem but that could just be priestly discretion etc. On a general note, regarding confession, are there any circumstances when a priest can divulge what is said in confession? If a priest had been told by someone they were going to bomb a school or hospital for example, could a priest reveal that in order to save lives? And if he were to keep it secret, would he not be complicit in a crime?

by Guest 10.10.11 17:55

We were always told that the Priest must never break the confessional seal regardless of the situation. I think he may try to influence a guilty party to confess but may not confess on the person's behalf. It's come up in many paedophile cases where the offenders were protected.

by listener 10.10.11 23:32

I confess I don't understand some religious things. If someone confessed to me a murder, a child molestation, a rape or some other heinous crime, I would be on the phone to the polis quicker than wet s___ slips of a hot shovel!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] It seems, to me, that it is very absurd that ones 'religious faith' could prevent one doing one's moral duty (i.e. preventing further terrible crime)[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Is having a 'faith' stronger than doing what is right?

by littlepixie 11.10.11 0:03

No it is men who have twisted what is in the Bible to suit their own needs in my opinion.

by listener 11.10.11 0:57

littlepixie wrote:No it is men who have twisted what is in the Bible to suit their own needs in my opinion.

Have always beleived that suicide bombers were brainwashed[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by mexx 12.10.11 21:24

I also believe that suicide bombers are brainwashed, but I don't recall an catholic ones...

by iluvpelageya 05.03.13 4:02

4. Catholics are forbidden to have their bodies cremated, except in case of a serious public necessity. The Catholic burial service is denied those who give orders to have their bodies cremated.

This is somewhat out of date. Although burial of the body is preferred, the Church's ban on cremation was lifted as far back as 1963. There are some rules, which might be pertinent to this case. The ashes should be placed in a respectful vessel. Scattering is frowned upon by the Church, as is distribution among relatives. If the ashes are buried at sea, the ashes should still be in their container when released.

by Guest 05.03.13 16:37

Molly wrote:We were always told that the Priest must never break the confessional seal regardless of the situation. I think he may try to influence a guilty party to confess but may not confess on the person's behalf. It's come up in many paedophile cases where the offenders were protected.

See for a good explanation:

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It is a weird thing. What if a priest knows of the plan to murder one person. He will keep his vow, I think. But what if he knew about a massacre like the 9-11 bombing. (Oké, not likely). Where will his conscience lead him? His own selfish desire not to be excommunicated? How unholy to let many people die, let a man become a mass murderer for the sake of a principle. As my father would say: Jeder Konsequenz führt zum Teufel. (Not that he is German, but the saying is German... Total consequence leads to the devil...)

by iluvpelageya 06.03.13 6:02

But what if he knew about a massacre like the 9-11 bombing. (Oké, not likely). Where will his conscience lead him? His own selfish desire not to be excommunicated? How unholy to let many people die, let a man become a mass murderer for the sake of a principle.

A priest who divulges a confession would never be allowed to hear another confession again. He would not be excommunicated.

A lot of people seem to get worked up over the secrets of the confessional in the same way that a lot of people get worked up over rooms with locked doors. Can you name one instance where a priest could have prevented a murder over something told him in the confessional? People have assumed that either or both of the McCs have confessed that they bumped off Madeleine to a priest. Can you produce any evidence to say that this happened?

Anyway, according to John MacVicar's autobiography, during a prison riot, the inmates got access to the files, and found that things told to Catholic priests in confessional had found their way onto inmates' files.

by Smokeandmirrors 06.03.13 6:59

iluvpelageya wrote:
But what if he knew about a massacre like the 9-11 bombing. (Oké, not likely). Where will his conscience lead him? His own selfish desire not to be excommunicated? How unholy to let many people die, let a man become a mass murderer for the sake of a principle.

A priest who divulges a confession would never be allowed to hear another confession again. He would not be excommunicated.

A lot of people seem to get worked up over the secrets of the confessional in the same way that a lot of people get worked up over rooms with locked doors. Can you name one instance where a priest could have prevented a murder over something told him in the confessional? People have assumed that either or both of the McCs have confessed that they bumped off Madeleine to a priest. Can you produce any evidence to say that this happened?

Anyway, according to John MacVicar's autobiography, during a prison riot, the inmates got access to the files, and found that things told to Catholic priests in confessional had found their way onto inmates' files.

I think ( and this is just my personal take on the situation ) that what has got some people wondering about K & G and their supposed Catholic faith is that it appears that they have "used" it for their own ends. I remember from an early interview with Kate's mother, Susan Healy that she said quite plainly that they were not very religious, Gerry had said he wasn't that religious, yet all of a sudden they presented an impression that they were completely devout, and used the church in PDL at every opportunity. I appreciate that people turn to God in times of need, that is not in dispute, but there is something about it which appears a bit "off".

The trip to see the Pope at the Vatican also struck many people as not only very staged for publicity, but the parents removed themselves to another country very soon after the disappearance, when in fact Madeleine, to all intents and purposes, could have been discovered at any moment. What parents, in the very recent aftermath of such a thing would go to another country at such a time? It makes no sense whatsoever.

And then we have the story that Pacheco felt "betrayed" by the Mc's and according to reports was extremely distressed by his dealings with them. If this story, which was supposedly from a friend of Pacheco, is true, then it raises some very worrying questions.

It is also well documented that they used IVF, and this is still considered to be a mortal sin by the Catholic church.

As with everything the Mc's, it just doesn't stack up.

by iluvpelageya 06.03.13 9:05

I think ( and this is just my personal take on the situation ) that what has got some people wondering about K & G and their supposed Catholic faith is that it appears that they have "used" it for their own ends. I remember from an early interview with Kate's mother, Susan Healy that she said quite plainly that they were not very religious, Gerry had said he wasn't that religious, yet all of a sudden they presented an impression that they were completely devout, and used the church in PDL at every opportunity. I appreciate that people turn to God in times of need, that is not in dispute, but there is something about it which appears a bit "off".

The trip to see the Pope at the Vatican also struck many people as not only very staged for publicity, but the parents removed themselves to another country very soon after the disappearance, when in fact Madeleine, to all intents and purposes, could have been discovered at any moment. What parents, in the very recent aftermath of such a thing would go to another country at such a time? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I got this impression, too. The visit to the Pope is logical if one were looking for a missing child. It is something that creates publicity.

It is also well documented that they used IVF, and this is still considered to be a mortal sin by the Catholic church.

The IVF is a bit of a red herring. People can practise a religion and break rules that they disagree with. We have all breakfasted with a Sikh who tucks into a plate of bacon and eggs, or a Jew eating a ham bagel, or been out for a drink with a Muslim. Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church is not an exclusive club for the righteous. The Catholic Church is for sinners. If you are a saint, you don't need it.

And then we have the story that Pacheco felt "betrayed" by the Mc's and according to reports was extremely distressed by his dealings with them. If this story, which was supposedly from a friend of Pacheco, is true, then it raises some very worrying questions.

But being distressed about his dealings with them does not necessarily mean that the McCs confessed something devastating to him. If, as you say, the McCs are just paying lip-service to the Catholic Church, then it is hardly likely that either of them will tell a priest anything of any consequence. The priest could have been annoyed over something as mundane as the McCs lighting all the shrine votive candles in the church and not leaving a big enough donation; or turning up at mass, going up to the altar rails and making a huge, showy, sign of the cross before taking their places.

Let me make it clear that the Catholic Church may be guilty of a number of things, but one cannot reasonably blame it for what happened to Madeleine...which brings us to Juulcy's creation of a straw man by suggesting that someone confessed to 9/11 before it happened. Yeah, I can just see Osama Bin Laden arriving at Lake Wobegon on 10th September, and unburdening everything that was on his mind to the priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility. And 9/11 is wholly the fault of a Minnesota priest for not getting straight on the blower to the FBI. Not even David Icke or Alex Jones has come up with that one.

by **PeterMac** 06.03.13 9:23

iluvpelageya wrote:. . . The visit to the Pope is logical if one were looking for a missing child.

Given what we now know about the Vatican, it is certainly more logical to look there.
Perhaps that is why they took the photo along.

by Guest 06.03.13 9:25

Hi Iluvpelageya,
I take it you are a Catholic. I certainly didn't mean to hurt your feelings. My little philisophical post was not directly related to the Mccanns nor the priest. And most certainly not to put blame on the church for what happened in PdL! read my post again if you concluded that. I was thinking through the complexity of the seal of Confession. Violation of which will result in excommunication.

" The seal of the confessional - sigillum confessionis - is a byword in Catholic circles for absolute and lifelong confidentiality. Canon 1388.1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law has this to say:

A confessor who directly violates the seal of confession incurs an automatic excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; if he does so only indirectly, he is to be punished in accord with the seriousness of the offense."

Will my example be more credible if I said: what is the Catholic priest to do if he hears of an impending carbombing in Ireland? My ponderings were not about an actual happening, more about the weighing of life against a principle.

by aiyoyo 06.03.13 16:11

mexx wrote:I also believe that suicide bombers are brainwashed, but I don't recall an catholic ones...

IMO anyone who believes God decrees them to do certain things certain ways are brainwashed irrespective your religion allegiance.

by aiyoyo 06.03.13 16:19

iluvpelageya wrote:
4. Catholics are forbidden to have their bodies cremated, except in case of a serious public necessity. The Catholic burial service is denied those who give orders to have their bodies cremated.

This is somewhat out of date. Although burial of the body is preferred, the Church's ban on cremation was lifted as far back as 1963. There are some rules, which might be pertinent to this case. The ashes should be placed in a respectful vessel. Scattering is frowned upon by the Church, as is distribution among relatives. If the ashes are buried at sea, the ashes should still be in their container when released.

Men's technology has evolved and we live in internet era when every info you can ever want, hence acquired wisdom is a mouse click away, yet God's rules remain stagnant, unchanged, backdated; and that's the best the omnipotent and omnipresence can do for his creation.

by aiyoyo 06.03.13 16:28

iluvpelageya wrote:. . . The visit to the Pope is logical if one were looking for a missing child.

Why would that be so? Even God can't help one look for or find a missing child so why should the Pope be any better?
It is more logical if she's dead and her parents thought they were receiving absolution by being touched hence blessed by the Pope.

by Wlmslow 06.03.13 16:58

This almost too awful to contemplate, but what if we are misled by the possibility of a confession or similar between the priest and Healy& Maccann.

What if the priest was asked, and delivered, the last rites to an injured child in the days before a staged abduction ?

Imagine his position then, after the abduction was announced.

Another hypothesis based on strange evidence and behavior.

by **Nina** 06.03.13 18:10

Wlmslow wrote:This almost too awful to contemplate, but what if we are misled by the possibility of a confession or similar between the priest and Healy& Maccann.

What if the priest was asked, and delivered, the last rites to an injured child in the days before a staged abduction ?

Imagine his position then, after the abduction was announced.

Another hypothesis based on strange evidence and behavior.

Hello Wilmslow and welcome to the forum.
You have a very interesting theory here and one that I have not seen before. So this is saying an injured child before Thursday, and how would she be injured and not taken to the nearest hospital pretty sharpish rather than send for a priest which would say the parents knew she was about to die and wanted whatever it is RC priests do for such a person?
I am not a Catholic so don't really know what the procedure is for the care of the dying.
The visit to the Pope did get them a photograph of Madeleine blessed though and a short mention on the Vatican web page so that was maybe a spiritual gain for Madeleine, the blessing not the web page.

by Miraflores 06.03.13 18:12

aiyoyo wrote:
iluvpelageya wrote:. . . The visit to the Pope is logical if one were looking for a missing child.

Why would that be so? Even God can't help one look for or find a missing child so why should the Pope be any better?
It is more logical if she's dead and her parents thought they were receiving absolution by being touched hence blessed by the Pope.

I think this is to do with Gerry's statement that Madeleine was abducted by paedophiles and the scandals which have beset the Catholic church in recent years.