Dozens of Charlotte Priests Appeal to Vatican Over Liturgical Restrictions

31 priests of the Diocese of Charlotte have formally challenged recent liturgical directives issued by Bishop Michael Martin, submitting Dubia to of all places the Vatican.

The Substack.com account The Pillar reports that the priests’ letter to the Dicastery for Legislative Texts was sent on January 5. It questions whether the bishop has the authority to mandate the removal and prohibition of kneelers for Communion.

This a policy was announced in a “pastoral” letter by Bishop Martin on December 17. Temporary kneeling fixtures are required to be removed by Jan. 16.

Thirty-one priests are about a quarter of the diocesan presbyterate. They argue that kneeling for Communion is explicitly permitted by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and part of the traditional liturgical practice of the Church.

Furthermore, the Dubia question Bishop Martin’s authority to prohibit certain vestments, liturgical prayers, gestures, and elements associated with the Mass of the Roman rite but referenced or permitted in universal Church law.

The priests state that Bishop Martin’s policies have caused widespread concern among both clergy and laity in the diocese since he assumed leadership in May 2024.

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