Vatican official cautions against S. African ‘Oil of Gladness’ services

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Comments: 4

Pretoria, South Africa, Oct 19, 2008 / 02:30 am (CNA).- Archbishop Albert Ranjith, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has written to the South Africa bishops’ conference president Cardinal Wilfrid Napier concerning the “Anointing with the Oil of Gladness” services.

“It is reported that the faithful are frequently being anointed during what are called ‘Healing Services’ by deacons or even lay ministers who use a so-called ‘Oil of Gladness’ that is claimed to be ‘Sacramental,’ the letter says, according to the Catholic Information Service for Africa.

The archbishop notes that Canon Law expressly forbids anyone other than a priest from administering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

His letter states that there are only three blessed oils used in the Roman Ritual: the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the Sacred Chrism.

“The use of any other oil or any other ‘anointing’ than those found in the approved liturgical books must be considered proscribed and subject to ecclesiastical penalties,” he continues.

“The Congregation kindly asks that the bishops of South Africa be made aware of the above-mentioned confusion so that proper catechesis and sacramental discipline can be restored where it may be lacking,” Archbishop Ranjith concludes.

Comments: 4

Subscriber comments:

Published by: john p. bertolucci
catskill, new york, usa 10/28/2008 01:54 PM EST

what about all the oil that is purchased at shrines. like st. joseph oil or whatever. such "sacramentals" have been used by god's people for centuries. is there not also a blessing in our tradition for just ordinary oil (not for the Sacrament of the Sick) for people to use sacramentally? why so strict about praying for people to be healed? we need more of this in the church. even this site advertises anointing oils from Israel. please clarify.

Published by: frjimt
pocono pines, pa, usa 10/27/2008 12:03 PM EST

when we had fr. legaspi here for a healing service, he blessed oil that could be used for people to use at home, with each other.

when my sister was ill with cancer, the use of the oil by her husband, children, family was a source of great grace.

it was NEVER mistaken for the anointing of the sick, that I was blessed to administer to her.

Published by: alexis
Port Elizabeth _ RSA 10/22/2008 12:33 AM EST

This is a most welcome intervension from Rome. It is however questionable as to when, if ever, the faithful on the ground will be made aware of this matter and be catechised appropriately. Here in Port Elizabeth (RSA) this practice has found a home and the faithful have been duped into what amounts to nothing more than shaminism. We need to be rightly catechised.

Published by: C Mansell
Perry, GA. USA 10/20/2008 10:55 AM EST

Our Eastern Churches
routinely anoint with
blessed oil and people
use it as a sacramental
(like holy water). As
long as its not called
Sacrament of Anointing
I don't see the problem

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