Posted on 09/11/2013 1:39:39 PM PDT by NYer
If this is true, tell me: I wouldn’t recognize my country if that’s the case. Even more important, if this is true, tell me why.
God help us, ping!
I’m glad to see this. I was horrified to see that the clergy were not allowed in the Boston bombing. And how can it hurt? Protestants don’t have any sacramental thing, but even the Protestants probably wouldn’t have minded having somebody praying with them.
And if the victim is unconscious and you don’t know if he’s Protestant, Catholic or Jewish, it still couldn’t hurt to have somebody pray for and even anoint him. If they’re conscious and they don’t want a priest, all they have to do is say no or shake their heads; priests don’t insist, although they might (gasp!) give them a blessing from afar.
The writer is correct. Dioceses should attempt to find out the policies.
How about imams?
Clergy should be allowed - always.
And yes there can also be angels.
A friend was in a motorcycle accident that propelled him into a ditch and totaled his bike, any way, he said he just laid there for a minute.
People ran down to him “are you alright, are you alright”.
He said he didn’t even have a scratch, he sat up and said “I am fine”.
Then they started going through the bushes and tall grass, looking for what they thought was a woman with him.
My friend said the cop came over and asked “who was riding with you”.
He said “I was riding alone”
Yes, I beleive in protection whether by angels or clergy, people need comfort.
Seriously, you really meant to say that?
I know of one explanation that I have mixed feelings about. Qne of the most horrible earmarks of modern terrorism is to plant 2 or more explosives timed so that the second and later ones kill the ‘First Responders’ going towards the first explosion. Keeping the non-essential personnel out of the kill zones is logical in light of this new page in that horrible practice. On the other hand, clergy, ministering to the spirit, are professionals performing their duties! I say that they should be permitted! I rather doubt if Father Judge or any other clergy, caught up and dying in their duties would disagree.
Yes, most Protestants don’t accept the sacraments. Some, such as Anglicans and Lutherans, do accept some of them, but rejection of the sacraments was a big part of Protestantism, particular among what we would now consider Evangelical groups.
Islam is not a sacramental faith. They don't send imams out to bless people who are dying.
Excellent points; clergy bring comfort and peace to those who are injured or are dying. Like you, I too was horrified when the clergy were turned away in Boston. Thanks for the post and ping.
Unless I very much misunderstand Protestantism. Which is always a possibility!
The Lutheran Confessions recognize three Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist and Penance or Holy Confession) but generally treat the four other Sacraments observed by the Catholic Church as Holy Rites rather than Sacraments.
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We would certainly love to be prayed over in such a situation though.
But don’t believe it affects our entrance into the afterlife if there’s not a priest present when we pass off this mortal coil.
If that makes sense?
Or it could be not a wrong but a RITE!
Thank you for the information.
It's getting late -- my coherence is past its prime --- I'd better get to bed. G'Night now!
If this is about security in a live terrorist event, then I’m willing to listen, but even then, a family member should be able to say “my family member is there and I’m going to be with them.” That should be allowed. And when that family member then says, “I want my priest/pastor here.” then that should be honored.
Another option is the credentialing of pastors/priest/rabbis for such times. But I balk at credentialing pastors/priests/rabbis.
Then there is the idea of police/fire chaplains. This is an option I would support, and I do not see that those must be paid positions.
Yet it is a tremendous grace to be able to receive the Sacraments on one's deathbed. I love that the last Sacraments -- Confession (if the person is able), Anointing, and Communion--- are called "Viaticum" ("With you on the way.") How wonderful to be so intimately close to Christ before dying, through dying, and on the other side of dying.
That's not to say that if the priest isn't there, you're toast. Christ can grant His loving Presence to any person, at any time of His own choosing, in any circumstances.
But I have become persuaded that Christ wants us to receive Him through Sacraments, through the ministrations of the Church, through the tangible signs with accompany the Sacraments, by the old, well-loved prayers.
There are people who can hardly register a brain wave, who will go subtly alert, their lips moving, when the holy oils are applied to their skin, or when the words "Our Father, Who art in heaven..." are heard.
This was certainly true of my father. I can only say, "Thanks be to God."
I can certainly see how that would be terribly comforting.
My knowledge comes from my mom who took catechism classes prior to v2. And it’s been a looooong time ago that I asked her.
She ultimately didn’t convert (that’s a long story I’ll save for another time). I tried to wear her sterling silver crucifix/rosary as costume jewelry when I was a teen during the whole Madonna cross fashion thing. I was very sternly put in my place! I really need to ask her before it’s too late if she would like to be buried with that rosary. It’s really quite pretty and she’s kept it in a really special place in her room all these years too.
Very good point. Thanks.
Where I grew up, all the Fire/EMS was volunteer. The local parish priest became our chaplain, then became certified as an EMT and ran ambulance calls. (He was a great guy!) More than once his presence comforted patients.
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