Step Three:

Canonical Process Against the Bishop’s Protocol

3) Follow the formal steps for “Initiating Recourse Against An Administrative Decree”

This will initiate the canonical process for overturning the decree, though it may not be completed until after the TLMs are canceled and moved to Mooresville.

a. Write to Bishop Martin within ten working days of the legal notice of the decree (May 23rd, 2025), asking him to revoke the decree (Prot. No. B187/25)

b. Delivered to (mail is required):

Most Reverend Michael T. Martin, OFM Conv.

Diocese of Charlotte

Office of the Bishop

1123 S. Church St.

Charlotte, NC 28203

c. The request must state exactly what is being petitioned, and the reasons why.

d. Requests that are not specific as to what is being sought or why, will not be accepted and will not be considered as delaying the initial ten (10) day time limit.

e. If a valid request for revocation of the decree is received within the ten (10) day time limit, Bishop Martin has thirty (30) days from receipt of the petition to decide his response. If no response is given in thirty (30) days, a negative response is to be assumed [cf. canon 1735].

f. If, after legitimate petition, Bishop Martin does not revoke the initial decree, hierarchic recourse may be proposed to the Holy See.

g. This must be done within a peremptory time limit of fifteen (15) working days. This recourse cannot validly be proposed unless one has first written to Bishop Martin to ask him to revoke the decree.

h. This recourse is to be made in writing, along with the reasons for seeking recourse, to the proper Dicastery of the Holy See (Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments).

See the full Appeal Process form here: https://www.faithfuladvocate.org/the-rights-of-the-faithful > Take Action