Sometimes as a hospital chaplain when the bleep goes off you never know what you are being called to. In this respect it can be hard to prepare yourself. This day was no exception. I was bleeped by A&E resus to say they had a 63 year old woman who was on holiday in this country, and had a massive stroke while she was talking to her son. When I got to the bedside I found 2 distressed young men. They were both her sons. The family were Russian Orthodox and were a bit perplexed to be met with a woman priest. I sensed their unease and checked their religion. Once I found out I said I would go back to my office and try and get them an orthodox priest. The staff in resus were apologetic. I find that many staff do not understand the different varieties and flavours within the same faith. In the main it’s not a problem but I was relieved I had not been disturbed in the middle of the night for this one.
I’d been back in my office 10 minutes trying to find an orthodox priest, when the bleep went again. The nurse in A&E asked me to come quickly as the patient was deteriorating and would last much longer. The family in these circumstances wanted anybody. I ran back to resus and puffed my way breathlessly through a traditional last rites and anointing. Throughout the whole of this the anaesthetist bagged the woman so that the prayers were done while she was still “alive” As soon as I finished he stopped and all the staff stepped back and let the family have a private moment with their mother.
The family came out to me and were very grateful that I had come back so quickly. They told me that it meant a lot that a priest had been with their mum when she died.
I’m not sure what God would make of all of this. I bet s/he has a good laugh as we try to make sense of things in such a confusing world. I’m sure God is not fussed by the religion of the people or the flavour of the priest. It’s more important what we each carry in our hearts and minds as we live our lives.
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