By Deacon James N. Dunbar
SOMERSET, Mass. — Most Catholics understand extreme unction as the final anointing of someone on his or her deathbed.
What is often forgotten or misunderstood is that it is part of the sacrament of the sick, which is not meant to be reserved until the very last moment of a person’s life, but can and should be administered whenever someone is in danger of death due to illness or old age. It is a gift from a caring God, more frequently administered in hospitals and which can only be performed by a priest.
With fewer vocations to the priesthood and a seriously dwindling number of available priests, Fall River diocesan officials are assessing how the current full-time ministry to patients in area hospitals might continue.
“We are studying a transformation in how hospital ministry will be performed,” Father Marek Tuptinski, diocesan director of Pastoral Care of the Sick, told The Anchor.
“There was a recent meeting with priest chaplains of the six hospitals in the Fall River Diocese, and Bishop George W. Coleman has asked that a committee be formed to study the matter and make recommendations,” he reported.
He made it clear than while no changes have been made, any changes would have to be approved by Bishop Coleman.
“We realize that with fewer priests we have to study and assess full-time priest chaplains in all hospitals and perhaps consider healing services for the anointing of the sick conducted more frequently by priests in their own parishes; an increase in the number of the wonderful clergy and lay chaplains currently serving; as well as an overall information and education program for the faithful,” Father Tuptinski said.
“I’m impressed by how the Fall River Diocese has been blessed for so many years to be able to supply full-time chaplains to its area hospitals,” said Father Andrew Johnson, OCSO, who is chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River.
Ordained in 1991, he has been a chaplain at eight hospitals, including those in the Archdiocese of Boston, where, he said, “it is the priests from adjacent parishes who service and minister at the various hospitals.”
The hospital chaplaincy in this diocese was instituted by Bishop James L. Connolly (1951-1970) at a time when there were as many as four priests residing in many rectories.
“Whatever happens and whatever the trends, because only priests can anoint, administering that sacrament will continue to be an important part of our priesthood whether or not we are hospital chaplains,” Father Johnson added.
The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” teaches that the anointing of the sick, which only bishops and priests can administer, “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly arrived” (No. 129).
“What needs to be taught is that anointing is the sacrament of the sick … but becomes extreme unction when it truly becomes the final anointing,” Father Johnson pointed out. “If one has received the sacrament of the sick and recovers from the illness, he or she can receive the sacrament of the sick again, as often as needed.”
“The sacraments are for the living and not for the dead,” Father Rodney E. Thibault, chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for nearly 15 months, pointed out.
“We don’t anoint someone who is already dead,” Father Thibault said.
“Because death frequently comes suddenly for those who are ill and suffering and even during surgery, spiritually and pragmatically they should have received anointing with holy oil as the sacrament of the sick much earlier than awaiting a final anointing whenever their dying moment arrives.”
Father Johnson said most patients understand “that Christ comes to them in this sacrament, as he does in the Eucharist, and many, because of past hospital stays, ask for the anointing, are not scared but familiar with the sacrament, and extend their hands and bend forward for us to anoint their forehead and the palm of their hands,” he said.
And if the patient indicates a particular illness or a hurt, “I might anoint their chest or their leg or an arm, in order to be sensitive to their illness,” he added.
The importance of anointing, said Father Thibault, “as we look at it as an important daily role of the chaplain … and limited numbers of priests, might mean we’ll be looking to pastors to administer the sacrament within his parish in a timely manner and invite in those about to undergo surgery in advance,” he said.
“As a Church, as well as a community, we have to purge ourselves of what we call ‘the last rites.’ There are no last rites … really only prayers for the dead,” Father Thibault added candidly.
“And if the sacraments are only for the living, then we have to realize that it is the call of the baptized person … a responsibility given at confirmation … to be at the bedside of those who have died, and to join in prayer, the Litany of the Saints seeking their intercession to God for that person’s salvation and eternal rest,” he added.
“The role of assistant chaplains like permanent deacons, religious Sisters and the laity too, whose roles include being extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, and praying along with family and leading recitation of the litany in what is a time for prayer, are treasured for their wonderful, sensitive work in hospital ministry,” he pointed out.
Father Johnson said the sacrament of the sick and a final anointing are restricted to the ordained priesthood because the latter rite can also include hearing their confession — if the person is capable. Then they are given holy Communion as the last sacrament of the earthly journey or “Viaticum” (“the passing over to eternal life’) — when possible, “to carry them on their journey to God,” Father Johnson explained.
“The Catechism” also teaches that while “this assistance from the Lord by the Holy Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, and also of the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, ‘if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven’” (No. 135, 135).
Hospital ministry is not new to Father Thibault either.
After ordination in June 2001, he was assigned for a year as a parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in New Bedford, and part-time chaplain at St. Luke’s.
Currently he assists as a judge at the Tribunal in Fall River on Mondays, while serving four days a week at the hospital. Father Michael Fitzpatrick takes two days and the priests of the New Bedford Deanery cover on Monday and during chaplains’ vacations.
While Father Thibault said there are not frequent calls in the nighttime and early morning hours for emergency anointing, “they do come,” the two chaplains said.
Father Thibault lives at St. John Neumann Parish in East Freetown, a 16-minute commute from St. Luke’s; and Father Johnson resides at St. Michael’s in Fall River, which is just 10 minutes from Charlton, making for quick emergency commutes.
They also agreed that it is better to anoint someone who is serious or in danger of death at 3 p.m., rather than wait to hurry to the hospital at 3 a.m., saying they take every opportunity to spend time with, and anoint those in serious condition or in danger of death while on duty.