Zagadnienia teologiczne sakramentu namaszczenia chorych

The Theological Issues of the Sacrament of the Sick

Summary

From the rich theological problems of the renewed liturgy of the rites related to the Sacrament of the Sick — especially from the theological and pastoral introduction, biblical readings and euchological texts — the Author largely discusses only the basic ones. It concerns: Christological and paschal dimension of the Sacrament of the Sick; the strengthening role of the Holy Spirit in the life of sick person; ecclesial dimension of this sacrament. The author outlines briefly such elements like: the penitential dimension of the Sacrament of the Sick; the meaning of the sickness in the theological approach; the need for the introduction of the extraordinary minister (for example permanent deacon); the problem of distribution of the sacrament not only to those who suffer physically but also mentally (deep depression); the need of inclusion into the ritual a notion concerning the situation of dying person — present texts speak about the healing and avoid the references to the end of the earthly life obscuring the fear of the dying person (it means there are no elements of Christian Eastern hope).

Key words: Sacrament of the Sick; Christological, pneumatological and ecclesial dimension of the Sacrament of the Sick; healing; meaning of sickness.