New bishop of Austin directs priests to remove kneelers for Communion: ‘Wicked and cruel’

 ‘I hope Catholics in Austin defy their bishop and call him to repentance for his wickedness and cruelty,’ said senior editor of The Federalist and Catholic convert John Daniel Davidson.

Bishop Daniel Elias Garcia preaches during a Day of Reflection for people engaged in Criminal Justice Ministry in the Diocese of Austin. Creative Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FDB2018-DEG-DoA.png

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Emily Mangiaracina

Fri Nov 14, 2025 - 4:09 pm 

AUSTIN, Texas (LifeSiteNews) — The new bishop of the Diocese of Austin has asked pastors to no longer use kneelers for the reception of Holy Communion.

Bishop Daniel Garcia “asks that the practice of setting out a kneeler for Holy Communion be discontinued,” wrote Vicar General James Misko in a November 12 letter to pastors of the diocese, denounced as a “sinister memorandum” by Damian Thompson, who posted it to X.

Misko cited three reasons as the basis for the decision, including the fact that the “norm” is to receive Holy Communion standing in the U.S., as determined by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The use of kneelers (prie-dieus) during Holy Communion “could confuse the faithful” about this norm, while communicating that kneeling to receive the Eucharist is “more appropriate,” Misko continued.

More: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-bishop-of-austin-directs-priests-to-remove-kneelers-for-communion-wicked-and-cruel/