Should Priests annoint the sick among the Protestants, Jews, and other heretics? Isn't it better safe than sorry?
2007-10-23 04:13:46 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Funny story about that.
When missionaries first came to the new world, a nearly blind priest happened to be on a ship sailing near the South Pole. When he saw penguins he had to ponder whether they were very primitive men, or animals. Being filled as he was with European prejudice about "the savages", it didn't seem to bother him much that they didn't speak any recognizable language, so he proceeded to baptize them to the dismay of the crew.
Which leads us to the interesting question: Will there be penguins in Heaven?
Why, it wouldn't be Heaven without penguins!
2007-10-23 04:20:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No --- only Catholics but what a priest can do is if the person is unconscious, he can do a conditional baptism---so in case the person was not baptized he would go directly to Heaven or if the person was improperly baptized it would replace the faulty one. The "last rites" is just the Sacrament of healing and doesn't necessarily herald the end of life.
2007-10-23 11:25:55 · answer #2 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key here is sacraments.
The sacrament of the sick requires that the dying repent for their sins. For it is possible to administer the sacraments of baptism, confession, communion, and of the sick, it is rarely done in the last a days (minutes) of life.
If the religion of the person is known, the person has already made a choice.
Answer: Priests always pray for the dead. The sacraments are for the living.
2007-10-23 11:29:22 · answer #3 · answered by J. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those who really believe it's better to be safe than sorry will make efforts to convert to Catholicism before it's (nearly) too late.
Catholics priests can administer Last Rites to non-Catholic Christians, but only if the non-Catholic requests it.
2007-10-23 11:44:37 · answer #4 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Last Rites are not an insurance policy against going to Hell!
ONLY by asking for forgiveness of sins and by asking Christ to be your Lord and Savior will one enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
2007-10-23 11:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Kim 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Should they? Perhaps. Can they? No. The Sacraments (including Holy Unction/Last Rites) are only for the Baptized members of the Church.
2007-10-23 11:17:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If a person confesses their faith, then they should receive last rites, if they have not been baptized, they should be first. If they are unconscious, not knowing the status of their faith, then the prayer for Commendation of the Dying is appropriate.
Mark
2007-10-23 19:28:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Safe from what? I'm Catholic and don't believe 'last rites' are necessary. I can't imagine that not having them is going to keep anyone out of Heaven.
2007-10-23 11:16:58 · answer #8 · answered by nite_angelica 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They do, but only if the recipient states that they believe in the sacrament
Strictly speaking, only a Catholic can receive the sacraments. But there are exceptions under extraordinary circumstances
2007-10-23 11:17:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Should?" Yes.
The problem is that not everybody wants the Sacrament of the Sick and a priest would never give it to a sick or dying person if he or his family did not want it.
2007-10-23 11:16:00 · answer #10 · answered by Acorn 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋