Four Simple Church Teachings on Posture

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1. Customarily in the Church a bishop or priest addresses prayers to God while standing with hands slightly raised and outstretched (Ceremonial of Bishops, number 104).

2. Deacons and non-ordained members of the faithful may not use gestures or actions which are proper to the priest celebrant. It is a grave abuse for any member of the non-ordained faithful to "quasi preside" at the Mass (Instruction on Collaboration, Practical Provisions 6 §2).

3. With a view to uniformity in gestures and postures during Mass, the faithful should follow the directions indicated in the Missal (General Instruction on the Roman Missal #43).

4. Even a bishop does not have the authority to change the postures of the people. The gestures and posture of the faithful require a decision by the Conference of Bishops and the approval of the Apostolic See (General Instruction on the Roman Missal #390).