Posted on 09/12/2020 6:00:25 PM PDT by marshmallow
The Government has banned faith leaders from visiting patients at home, in a hospital or a care facility “for last rites or to perform other religious ceremonies in person”. The rules also state “last rites … can be provided using video or livestreaming”.
That is impossible, said Msgr Charles Portelli, parish priest of St Mary of the Assumption Parish, Keilor Downs – a COVID-19 hotspot.
Msgr Portelli said providing the sacraments to the dying was one of a priest’s most serious obligations and it can only be done in person.
Fr Frank Brennan SJ – rector of Newman College at the University of Melbourne and a part-time chaplain to St Vincent’s Hospital – was unaware of the restriction. Fr Brennan has been giving the last rites in full PPE gear.
Msgr Portelli said the Andrews Government’s restriction on administering the last rites, especially during a pandemic in which almost 700 Victorians had died, was an attack on “the free practice of religion”.
(Excerpt) Read more at cathnews.com ...
Excellent!
Are they afraid that the dying person will give them Covid-19?
I’m not Catholic, but that burns my butt...denying dying people the comfort of their faith.
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