Question:
Prior to the Vatican II revision of 1976, why was the Catholic Church administering the last rite sacrament of the anointing of the dead?
Answer:
In short, the Church has never had a sacrament for the anointing of the dead.
In the past, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was also known as “Extreme Unction” (CCC 1512).
Finally, you mentioned the year 1976. In fact, the new constitution regarding this sacrament was issued by Pope Paul VI in 1972 (see CCC 1513). For more on this sacrament, please see CCC 1499.
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