Q: What’s done has been done, but I’m aware of a parish church that very recently renovated its sanctuary to *remove* the freestanding stone altar so that only the high altar against the rear wall remains. The intent of that was to ensure that only ad orientem celebrations of Mass would be possible (2002 Missal).
The ambo was also replaced by two wooden podiums: a small one on the assembly’s right side, used for the first and second readings; a larger one on the assembly’s left side, used for the Gospel reading and the homily.
Finally, a Communion rail was installed, and the norm at this church is for people to kneel at the rail to receive Communion.
This was all done with the local ordinary’s approval, I gather. However, it all seems to me to run afoul of the GIRM’s instructions for the design and furnishing of the sanctuary and for the celebration of Mass.
Am I wrong to believe that this renovation should not have been done?
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A: In my view, these decisions are not compliant with the GIRM.
Regarding the altar, see 299.
Regarding the ambo, see 309.
Regarding posture at communion, see 160.