Unction: Father Matthew Presents the Sacraments

A teaching piece on the anglican / episcopal Rite of Unction or Ministry to the Sick, one of the sacraments in the Episcopal Church. The seventh of eight videos that Episcopal priestblogger, the Rev. Matthew Moretz, is producing on the sacraments, the outward and visible signs of the inward and spiritual graces of God. This video will be part of a forthcoming DVD, and is also featured on the website Beliefnet.com. Father Matthew is the Curate (assistant priest) at Christ's Church (Episcopal), Rye, NY www.fathermatthewpresents.com

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People & Blogs

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• Episcopal
• anglican
• father
• matthew
• unction
• ministry
• sick
• church
• healing

[dianaberry9393]

"The Priest lays his or her hands upon the person?" I don't understand the "his or her" part about this. I thought only priests could give the sacrament of the sick. Can sisters administer this sacrament as well? Is it like baptism, in an emergency anyone can administer baptism? I just don't understand...

[FatherMatthew]

@dianaberry9393 Priests are both male and female in the Anglican Communion (80 million Christians around the world). You can represent Christ and the Church and be any gender, really.

[dianaberry9393]

@FatherMatthew I am so sorry. I still don't understand. You have female priests? Like, women who perform the sacrament of the liturgy of the Eucharist?

[FatherMatthew]

@dianaberry9393 Absolutely. My rector, and boss, is a female priest. half of the people in my seminary class were female, and I was raised by a female priest who was a chaplain at the church school I went to as a child. The Episcopal Church has been ordaining women since the 70's.

[redhotpinktwink]

I have learned so much about the church from you.

[holylight12]

Good video as always :)

[ilove2run89]

@mmmail1969 First of all, thank you for being so respectful of our faith, beliefs and practices (sarcasm). I suggest Father Matthew's video on biblical inerrancy.

[mmmail1969]

@ilove2run89 - your reply makes no sense. "the call to priesthood is not limited to just men". Do you live on another planet? A woman cannot EVER be a "priest" she CAN 100% be a "priestess" - now find for me in Jewish/Christian heritage - priestesses???? When you've done that fine, go for it. We both know you can't - Christ Himself, came to fulfill the law - NOT to do away with it! Hence, Christ has a priesthood. Of course, the #1 call is to be a CHRISTIAN, open to ALL humanity.

[ilove2run89]

@mmmail1969 Episcopalians/Anglicans believe that the call to priesthood is not limited to just men. Women feel that call just as strongly. We believe in equality in all things, most especially in ministry. We also allow gays and lesbians into the priesthood.

[mmmail1969]

@FatherMatthew - no they can't! A woman cannot be a priest - simple as! Why you ask? Well, the term "priest" is gender specific! A woman may be a "priestess" but -- there is NO history of "priestesses" in Jewish/Christian heritage. Christ came to fulfill the law - not to do away with it (His words) - because the LAW itself is good and will stand 'til the end of time - it is afterall, God given law! The two foundations of the law - sacrifice and priest - NOT priestesses!

[vegassDJ]

Please forgive my ignorance, but is this what is delivered to a dying person. Is this what people refer to when they say the "last rights?