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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Sacrament of the Sick for Opressed/Obsessed part 2	Maria	Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Question: Thank you for your reply to my last question. I didn't make myself clear: The priest wanted to perform the Sacrament of the Sick (a.k.a. Last Rites) on the person to help them with their "spiritual illness" of oppression/obsession by the powers of darkness. The person was not physically ill at all. I was trying to find out if this was an appropriate use of the sacrament.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Maria: Actually, I answered this in the last post: There is no problem with the person receiving the Sacrament of the Sick if he is in danger of death. The Sacrament is not suppose to be given, however, to someone just because they are sick, is not to be repeated unless the person recovers and becomes dangerous ill again, and is not to be given to those who "obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin." (CIC 1004-1007) Let me quote Canon Law directly: Can. 1004 ß1 The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger of death by reason of illness or old age. ß2 This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes seriously ill or if, in the same illness, the danger becomes more serious. Can. 1005 If there is any doubt as to whether the sick person has reached the age of reason, or is dangerously ill, or is dead, this sacrament is to be administered. Can. 1006 This sacrament is to be administered to the sick who, when they were in possession of their faculties, at least implicitly asked for it. Can. 1007 The anointing of the sick is not to be conferred upon those who obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin. To administer the Sacrament of Anointing to a person just for purposes of helping them with their "spiritual illness", and they are not in danger of death, is frankly, illegal (that is, illicit), and an abuse of the Sacrament. The priest can give the person a regular priestly blessed, or pray deliverance prayers for the person, but the Sacrament of Anointing is not meant for this purpose. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

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Sacrament of the Sick for Opressed/Obsessed part 2

Maria

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Question:

Thank you for your reply to my last question. I didn't make myself clear: The priest wanted to perform the Sacrament of the Sick (a.k.a. Last Rites) on the person to help them with their "spiritual illness" of oppression/obsession by the powers of darkness. The person was not physically ill at all. I was trying to find out if this was an appropriate use of the sacrament.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Maria:

Actually, I answered this in the last post:

There is no problem with the person receiving the Sacrament of the Sick if he is in danger of death. The Sacrament is not suppose to be given, however, to someone just because they are sick, is not to be repeated unless the person recovers and becomes dangerous ill again, and is not to be given to those who "obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin." (CIC 1004-1007)

Let me quote Canon Law directly:

Can. 1004 ß1 The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger of death by reason of illness or old age.

ß2 This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes seriously ill or if, in the same illness, the danger becomes more serious.

Can. 1005 If there is any doubt as to whether the sick person has reached the age of reason, or is dangerously ill, or is dead, this sacrament is to be administered.

Can. 1006 This sacrament is to be administered to the sick who, when they were in possession of their faculties, at least implicitly asked for it.

Can. 1007 The anointing of the sick is not to be conferred upon those who obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin.

To administer the Sacrament of Anointing to a person just for purposes of helping them with their "spiritual illness", and they are not in danger of death, is frankly, illegal (that is, illicit), and an abuse of the Sacrament.

The priest can give the person a regular priestly blessed, or pray deliverance prayers for the person, but the Sacrament of Anointing is not meant for this purpose.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.