We even die differently in a pandemic. Clergy adapt last rites to coronavirus

Called to deliver last rites to a dying coronavirus patient in isolation, the Rev. Michael Way of New Jersey first tried using a phone, NJ.com reported.

When bad reception made that unworkable, the Christ Episcopal Church priest prayed through a window while wearing a face mask, according to the publication.

“I was shaking as I was doing it,” Way said, NJ.com reported. “I didn’t expect to be. I knew that the sacrament was there whether or not I felt it. I didn’t expect to feel it as powerfully as I did.”

Clergy across the United States are finding ways to adapt prayers for the sick and dying to coronavirus isolation procedures, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Catholic archdiocese in Chicago has trained 24 priests to deliver last rites, formally known as anointing of the sick, to patients in isolation, according to the publication.

Policies differ from hospital to hospital, with some encouraging clergy to deliver last rites remotely via phone and others allowing them to perform bedside services in sterile gowns, masks and other protective gear, the Chicago Tribune reported.

“We do believe the sacrament is very, very, very important when a person is dying, and they have a right to it,” said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry of the archdiocese, according to the publication. “But this particular virus is no respecter of religion, that’s for sure. It’s just a huge nightmare.”

In Los Angeles, some Catholic priests are making do with FaceTime, which also can allow the person’s family to be virtually present, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Vatican has issued a special dispensation for performing the ceremony remotely, foregoing the usual anointing with holy oil, according to the publication.

Others are able to give last rites at the patient’s bedside, but must be decked out in protective gear, the Los Angeles Times reports. They dot the patient’s forehead with holy oil on a swab.

“You are there to give a service and it’s an important service,” said the Rev. Kevin Rettig, according to the publication. “You do the best you can under the circumstances.”

More than 3 million cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed worldwide with more than 208,000 deaths as of April 27, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States has more than 972,000 confirmed cases with more than 55,000 deaths.

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 12:39 PM with the headline "We even die differently in a pandemic. Clergy adapt last rites to coronavirus."