Is it ok for anybody to use footwear/sandals on the altar? Is it to do with rites (Western (Latin) and Eastern)? Or is it to do with traditions?

I did not grow up in an Eastern or Indian culture, but from what I know there is no moral rule that prohibits wearing footwear or sandals on the altar. In fact, it is very common in other countries, so I think this has more to do with traditions and culture. In many Asian cultures, not wearing shoes is a show of reverence and a means of cleanliness. It is a pious practice, though, and recalls the scene of Moses at the burning bush: “When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to look, God called out to him from the bush: Moses! Moses! He answered, ‘Here I am.’ God said: Do not come near! Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:4-5).

In the West, not wearing shoes also signifies a tradition of poverty. Shoes were seen as a sign of wealth and status. They were also for comfort–whether for rocky hills or freezing cold. That is why when religious orders like the Franciscans began, they would often go barefoot as a sign of poverty. In fact, when St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross reformed the Carmelites, they named the new order the Discalced Carmelites: “discalced” literally means “without shoes!”

So removing one’s shoes is not a matter of sin, but since it’s such a part of the culture, it may look strange or impolite to wear your shoes on the altar. I once visited India and when I entered churches and houses, some people told me I didn’t need to remove my shoes–they were being gracious to me since I was a visitor. As a show of respect and reverence, however, I still removed my shoes.