Re: Re: reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches

Here is the text in its juridical form:

295. Presbyterium locus est ubi altare exstat, verbum Dei proclamatur, et sacerdos, diaconus et alii ministri munus suum exercent. Ab aula ecclesiae opportune distinguatur aut per aliquam elevationem, aut per peculiarem structuram et ornatum. Talis autem amplitudinis sit, ut Eucharistiae celebratio commode peragi et conspici possit.

Here is the English translation approved for use in the United States:

295. The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, where the word of God is proclaimed, and where the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers exercise their offices. It should suitably be marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation. It should, however, be large enough to allow the Eucharist to be celebrated properly and easily seen.

As you can see, right up to the present discipline there is no requirement in liturgical law to remove an altar rail where it exists; nor a prohibition to installing one in a new church or in restoring a vandalized church.