Declaración

Note: The following and all current guidelines can be found on archchicago.org/Coronavirus.

(Polski)

In response to updated recommendations and guidance from healthcare professionals, we have revised our protocols regarding Anointing of the Sick. Please review the points below in full.

As previously shared, under the State’s exemption for essential services, the Archdiocese of Chicago is including Anointing of the Sick as an essential service. However, out of an abundance of caution, specific and detailed protocols must be followed concerning confirmed COVID-19 patients and only a select number of priests will be allowed to administer this sacrament to those patients. Below are steps to follow in all instances of requests for Anointing of the Sick.

When a request is made for a priest to administer this sacrament, the priest must inquire if the ill person is a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

If YES (the patient IS a COVID-19 patient), the priest who received the initial request must:

1. Notify the family that due to guidelines set forth by the archdiocese to ensure everyone’s health, another priest must take the call and that the family will be contacted by that priest. Explain to the family members that out of an abundance of caution only a select number of our priests are allowed to administer this sacrament to any confirmed COVID-19 patients until further notice.
2. Ask for contact information from the family including name of a contact person and best phone number to reach the contact; name of the sick individual; and whether or not the person is hospitalized and, if so, at what hospital.  If not hospitalized, note the address where the anointing would take place and in what parish.
3. Immediately refer the case with the information gathered directly to one of the current COVID-19 Coordinators.
   • The Coordinator will contact a designated priest in the Vicariate where the individual is located.
   • The designated priest will gather further information and then may proceed under specific guidelines to minister the sacrament.

If UNSURE (the family does not know if the patient has COVID-19), the priest who received the initial request must, out of an abundance of caution, follow the steps as if the patient is a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

1. Notify the family that due to guidelines set forth by the archdiocese to ensure everyone’s health, the case needs to be referred to our COVID-19 Coordinator to ensure an approved priest can administer the sacrament.
2. Ask for contact information from the family including name of a contact person and best phone number to reach the contact; name of the sick individual; and whether or not the person is hospitalized and, if so, at what hospital.  If not hospitalized, note the address where the anointing would take place and in what parish.
3. Immediately refer the case with the information gathered directly to one of the current COVID-19 Coordinators. 

If NO (the patient is NOT a COVID-19 patient), the priest who received the initial request may proceed himself to administer the sacrament under the guidelines noted below for Ministering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to a non-COVID-19 patient. This case does NOT need to be referred to the Coordinator.

Ministering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to a NON-COVID-19 patient

If the sacrament is celebrated in a health care facility, follow the protocols and protective guidelines of that facility.

If in a home, please observe all current guidelines including:

• Maintain social distance with everyone in the room so as to offer comfort without making physical contact.
• Wash or sanitize your hands with soap and warm water before you enter the room.
• The anointing must be done with a cotton-tipped swab or a cotton ball which is to be burned or buried after use.
• If Holy Communion is given, it is to be distributed in the hand.
• Sanitize your hands with soap and warm water after the visit.
• After administering the sacrament, use bleach wipes or soap and water for the sanitizing of all supplies.

Peace,

Bishop Ron Hicks