With respect, no. I am trying to make a serious pastoral and theological point. In regard to the care of the dying (and the care of the deceased) there are some liturgical actions that only a priest can perform. For sure, a lay person can give Viaticum but neither a lay person nor a Deacon can celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick and give the Pardon. What provision can be made so that people die "fortified by the rites of Holy Mother Church"? How is Liverpool addressing this?
Any opinions expressed are my own, not those of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Liturgy Commission, Church Music Committee. Website
Consider also the possibly anomalous circumstances where a priest has received and responded to an emergency sick call and given what most people still call the "Last Rites". Say death occurs a few hours later and the family contact the parish to begin to arrange the funeral. Would they not find it rather absurd if a priest can be called out to minister to the dying but then not be available for the funeral?
Any opinions expressed are my own, not those of the Archdiocese of Birmingham Liturgy Commission, Church Music Committee. Website
