You all won't have this problem, but for a very tall Latin Catholic, kneeling is difficult when the kneeler behind isn't occupied. I can't tell you how many times I've knocked the kneeler down during the quiet parts of the Mass. It's as loud as a gun shot.If your pews are as close as ours a rotund person can't stand comfortably !! I HATE ours.
Our Priest's kid is not corralled in a pew - she trots round the Church and we can all keep an eye on this little 2 year old
Her favourite seat - On the bottom step at our Royal Doors - then she looks up at Papa as he Chants the Gospel
Fr Deacon frequently finds her beside him as he's chanting a Litany
And in conclusion pews must be destroyed.
You all won't have this problem, but for a very tall Latin Catholic, kneeling is difficult when the kneeler behind isn't occupied. I can't tell you how many times I've knocked the kneeler down during the quiet parts of the Mass. It's as loud as a gun shot.
And in some pews kneeling in the kneeler is difficult too. I usually kneel on the floor.
#Tallcatholicproblems.
Awwww.
The thing I like least about the pews is that - in my non-expert opinion as an observer of small children in pewed and pewless churches - it makes managing children harder. The priest has the opposite idea.
Oh my goodness, I can't even imagine what our parish would be like with pews! With all of our little ones, I think it would be a disaster, lol!
Mary
The openness and freedom of movement makes it better for everybody, but most especially the children. if the only open space is the area between the front pews and altar, that's where the kids will run. Better to have that happen 50 feet from the altar where it can be managed.