Charlotte Bishop Bans All Use of Kneelers for Communion
Bishop Michael Martin of Charlotte, North Carolina, has banned the public use of kneelers for receiving Communion with effect from 16 January 2026.
In a letter published on CharlotteDiocese.org on 17 December, he writes that using them is 'a visible contradiction to the normative posture of Holy Communion established by our episcopal conference'.
The text begins with pious or banal quotations.
He then admits that it is the right of the faithful to kneel when receiving Holy Communion. But: "The normative posture for all the faithful in the United States is standing."
"Faithful individuals who feel compelled to kneel to receive the Eucharist, as is their right, should prayerfully consider the communal blessing that is realised when we share a common posture."
Monsignor Martin refers to the norms of the US bishops' conference which "logically" do not envisage the use of kneelers or receiving communion.
The three main points of the letter are:
1. Clergy, catechists, ministers of Holy Communion …More
The Bishop of Charlotte announced that beginning next month, altar rails, kneelers, prie-dieus, and intinction will not be permitted for reception of the Eucharist in the diocese. While affirming that standing is the normative posture in the U.S., Bishop Martin acknowledged that Catholics retain the right to receive kneeling and may not be denied Communion for doing so, urging the faithful to consider the value of a common posture as a sign of communal unity.
Pathetic. If this isn't a form of the 'clericalism' Bergoglio was constantly fomenting about, I do not know what is.
Why is that woman, standing in what should be the Sanctuary, wearing a fake bishop's mitre and a very short skirt? The Blessed Mother said fashions would be introduced which would be very offensive to God.
The Number One Priority of the Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina: NO ALTAR RAILS
I remember being told it is a mortal sin for someone who is not a bishop to wear the bishop's mitre!
"The roads of hell are paved with the skulls of bishops" - so says St John Chrysostom. Now you see why --------
Real Catholics should totally ignore this unjust order and kneel anyway.
Yes, kneel on the floor, suffer the callouses on your knees for love of God and His Holy Sacrifice, and offer it as a penance for the conversion of apostate modernists. The floor is painful (concrete is worse) but it's well worth it. Otherwise, we should probably go NOWHERE NEAR these diocesan locations, anyhow.
Either you love God, or you hate Him. These insane pagan bishops definitely hate Him because of the way they treat Him.