Q: Greetings,

Our diocesan liturgist mentioned that in anointing of the sick venial and grave sins are forgiven.  However, our bishop who studied liturgy and another theologian I know mentioned that in anointing only venial sins are forgiven and that people should receive absolution aside from anointing. Can you provide clarification around this matter?

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A: The Order of Penance says that those who have fallen away by grave sin are called back through the Sacrament of Penance (no. 7). The Order of the Anointing of the Sick makes no similar claim. I agree with your bishop.

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