Catholic Priests Challenge Bishop’s Authority to Restrict Traditional Communion Practices

Bsp. Michael Martin. Photo: Diocese of Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE, NC — More than 30 priests in the Diocese of Charlotte have formally appealed to the Vatican for clarification over recent liturgical directives issued by Bsp. Michael Martin, OFM Conv., including a planned ban on altar rails and kneelers for the reception of Communion.

In a Jan. 5 letter to the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, the priests submitted a series of dubia questioning whether a diocesan bishop has the authority to prohibit traditional liturgical elements permitted under Church law. The letter was signed by 31 priests — about a quarter of the diocese’s clergy — most of them pastors.

The appeal responds to a December pastoral letter from Bsp. Martin announcing that altar rails, kneelers, and similar fixtures must be removed by mid-January and barred beginning in early 2026. The priests cite the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which permits kneeling for Communion and recognizes traditional sanctuary structures.

Additional questions address possible restrictions on vestments, Communion by intinction, Latin usage, and other traditional practices. The dispute marks the latest controversy since Bishop Martin assumed leadership of the diocese in 2024.

Previously, the UOJ reported that U.S. Catholic bishops approved ban on gender transition treatment at Catholic hospitals. 

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