The parishioners and churchwardens of Trefdraeth petitioned against Bowles' appointment, arguing that the appointment of a priest who did not speak Welsh breached the Articles of Religion, the Act for the Translation of the Scriptures into Welsh 1563 and the Act of Uniformity 1662.
The parishioners and churchwardens of Trefdraeth petitioned against Bowles'appointment, with the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion supporting and helping to fund their case. The prosecution argued that Bowles' inability to minister in Welsh contravened Article XXV of the Articles of Religion, the Act for the Translation of the Scriptures into Welsh 1563 and the Act of Uniformity 1662.