Bishop Michael Martin, OFM, of the Diocese of Charlotte (North Carolina), ordered the removal of the prie-dieu from the chapel of Christ the King school. According to LifeSiteNews, the measure was confirmed in an internal note disseminated by the Charlotte Latin Mass Community on X. Despite the prohibition, students and staff continued to kneel on the floor to receive Communion.
Resistance from the Faithful
Catholics in Charlotte have responded with gestures of reverence. During a Confirmation Mass this summer, the majority of attendees knelt to receive Communion from the bishop himself, despite Martin having already announced restrictions against communion rails and prie-dieux.
Liturgical Changes in School Masses
The school chaplain, Father Aaron Huber, announced the introduction of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and the use of screens to project hymns and prayers. These practices, defended by the bishop, contradict both Catholic tradition and the liturgical norms of the USCCB, which prohibit the use of screens during Mass.
Leaked Document and Critical Reactions
In May, the blog Rorate Caeli published a draft in which Martin described it as “absurd” to teach that kneeling is more reverent than standing, and ordered the removal of communion rails and prie-dieux. Although the diocese presented it as a provisional text, sources cited by The Pillar assure that the bishop maintains these intentions.
Criticism from Rome
Cardinal Robert Sarah, emeritus prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, warned in 2018 that receiving Communion in the hand and standing is part of a “diabolical attack” against Eucharistic faith. The situation in Charlotte worsens following the suppression of the Traditional Latin Mass, denounced in the documentary Bread Not Stones.