Reopening the Sacramental Economy

How can the Church seek to provide sacramental care to the most people, especially those most in need, in the best possible way in our current conditions? In what follows I’d like to offer some prudential reflections, open to debate, but construed in light of the Church’s traditional sacramental and pastoral practices.

A first priority would seem to be the sick and the dying. Those who have greatest need of the sacraments and the personal presence of a priest are those who are most threatened by grave illness and death. Consequently, pastoral care for such persons is an obvious priority, since their consolation and salvation are at stake. Those who don’t have COVID-19 should continue to be served as generously as possible. Where such pastoral care is aimed specifically at COVID-19 patients, particular parameters should be identified. 

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