Q: Recently this question was posed to us re the anointing of the sick. The anointing both strengthens the sick person to not only to endure the sickness, but also to receive the forgiveness of sins. The anointed thus encounters God’s love and mercy. This we all know. However, does this mean that the anointed does not need to go for the sacrament of reconciliation since the forgiveness of sins has already been given at the anointing?
Please advise. Thank you as always for your availability as well as willingness to answer all our queries.
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A: The anointing of the sick forgives venial sins, but mortal sins should be separately confessed. The confession of venial sins at any time is always praiseworthy.