The change followed the murder of Catholic MP Sir David Amess, who didn't receive the Last Rites before he died because police wouldn't let the priest who would administer them into the crime scene.

The priest, who had hurried to be with Amess, instead prayed a rosary outside the building where the crime took place.

Catholic leaders say the guideline change will help meet the religious needs of crime victims in England and Wales.

"This is really encouraging news. For the first time, we have official guidance from the police that recognises the importance of priests and the sacrament of the Last Rites," says Nigel Parker, executive director of the Catholic Union of Great Britain.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in the working group for producing such a clear and sensible set of guidance notes."

For Catholics, the "Last Rites" involve the final sacraments and prayers for the dying. Catholics in danger of death are strongly encouraged to take part in these rites.

After it became publicly known why Amess was unable to receive the Last Rites, a working group was set up to revise national guidelines for the College of Policing for England and Wales.

The new guidelines allow better access for priests and other religious ministers at crime scenes where the victims of murder or other violence remain on site.

"At a critical time, such spiritual and family support can make all the difference for those for whom it is important," says Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark.

The Catholic Union worked across political parties to raise concerns about the police response to clergy.

"We were all deeply shocked by the news of Sir David's murder," Parker says.

"He was a friend to the Catholic Union and a supporter of many of our campaigns. This new guidance should prevent people at crime scenes being denied access to the Last Rites in future.

"However, there is still work to do to make sure people working in public services have a better understanding of the importance of faith to those who believe. The Catholic Union will continue to campaign for the culture change we need to bring that about."

Although the battle for priests at crime scenes has been won, they still face difficulty in administering the sacraments in hospitals and care homes. The Catholic Union said a change in culture is needed.

Source

• CNA
• Image: Herald Scotland

Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira, 53, was executed on January 18 at on Nusakambangan, Indonesia's execution island

Moreira was sentenced to death in 2004 after attempting to smuggle 13.4 kilograms of cocaine into Indonesia.

The only religious ministers available to counsel him immediately before his death were Buddhist, Muslim and Protestant.

A Catholic priest was refused access.

The Protestant minister offered Moreira counselling before the execution, but the prisoner reportedly didn't see him.

On the day before the execution, Oblate Fr Charles Burrows asked a prison official about administering last rites to Moreira.

"I maintained that a Catholic has the right to receive the Penance, Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum Sacraments before he is executed, and this is very important for a Catholic who will leave this world," Fr Burrows told ucanews.com.

The official apologised, but said only the district court could appoint religious counsellors and there were already Buddhist, Muslim and Protestant ones available.

Fr Burrows, who had counselled Moreira in another prison, was not allowed access in what media called an administrative mix-up.

The priest said that he later heard from other prisoners that Moreira wept when he was taken from his cell for execution.

"Marco said, ‘Help me! Help me!' He even defecated in his trousers because he was so scared," Fr Burrows said.

"It was only his aunt who came to accompany him. He was very upset."

Indonesian bishops' conference spokesman Fr Paulus Siswantoko said Moreira experienced a human rights violation in the last moments of his life.

"It's very concerning that the state couldn't provide [religious counselling]," he said.

Saying that the Catholic Church will always fight against the death penalty for anyone and for any reason, he said the state must also protect convicts on death row.

Five other drug smugglers were executed in Indonesia last month.

The executions of several more are planned.

Last week, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff refused to accept the credentials of the Indonesian ambassador to demonstrate her anger at Moreira's execution.

Sources

• UCANews
• Sydney Morning Herald
• Image: Independent

The story focuses on Ronald Plishka, who was admitted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center after a heart attack and asked for a priest when — after 24 hours — he became concerned that he might not make it.

Plishka, 63, said he was an altar boy when he was young and now regularly attends Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

He said he believes in the sacraments and asked for the anointing of the sick, including Communion.

A priest named Fr. Brian Coelho responded to his request, and when they engaged in conversation, Plishka revealed that he is gay. In fact, he had started to talk about Pope Francis and how his "who am I to judge?" attitude toward LGBT people heartened him. Continue reading.