Satanic Grotto Sparks Controversy with Planned Black Mass at Kansas State Capitol
A planned demonstration by The Satanic Grotto, a self-described independent and non-denominational Satanic church, is igniting a firestorm of controversy in Kansas as the group intends to stage a black mass inside the State Capitol. The event, scheduled for March 28th, has drawn fierce opposition from state officials, religious leaders, and bipartisan lawmakers, leading to attempts to block the demonstration and sparking a debate about religious freedom, free speech, and the limits of protected expression.
The Satanic Grotto, a registered non-profit organization, was initially met with little public attention regarding their planned demonstration. However, the situation escalated dramatically following allegations that the group’s founder, Michael Stewart, stole a consecrated host, or Eucharist, from a local Catholic church for use in the black mass ceremony. These allegations served as a catalyst for widespread condemnation and fueled calls for the event to be canceled.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, responded to the growing outcry by issuing an executive order on March 12th barring The Satanic Grotto from entering the State House for their planned demonstration. This move was subsequently followed by a bipartisan effort by state legislators to modify the State House’s building and grounds policies, further solidifying the attempt to prevent the event from taking place within the Capitol building.
Governor Kelly defended her actions by emphasizing the importance of respecting religious symbols and traditions. "There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols," she stated, highlighting the potential for the black mass to be deeply offensive to many Kansans.
The controversy surrounding the planned black mass has also drawn the attention of religious leaders across the state and beyond. Monsignor Roger J. Landry, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, provided context regarding the nature of black mass ceremonies in Satanist traditions. He explained that these ceremonies often involve the desecration of the consecrated Eucharist, a practice that is considered profoundly sacrilegious by Catholics. Landry further referenced a description of the black mass from the New York Satanic Temple’s website, which characterized the event as a "perversion of the Catholic Mass" and suggested the consecrated host is subjected to degrading acts during the ritual.
Adding to the legal complexities of the situation, Bishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City filed a lawsuit against Stewart, alleging that he admitted on social media to stealing the consecrated Eucharist. The lawsuit also claimed that members of The Satanic Grotto sent threatening letters to lawmakers, further escalating concerns about the group’s intentions and the potential for the demonstration to pose a threat to public safety.
Senate President Ty Masterson echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the First Amendment does not protect criminal conduct. "Recent statements from an organization – which pledged to engage in such conduct – necessitated a thoughtful review of policies to ensure the safety of all those visiting our State Capitol," he stated, suggesting that the allegations against Stewart and The Satanic Grotto justified the measures taken to block the demonstration.
However, Stewart has pushed back against the accusations and defended his group’s right to stage the demonstration. In an interview, he did not explicitly deny owning a social media account that admitted to taking the host but clarified that while he and his group may have sent rude letters to lawmakers in the past, none of them were threatening. He further revealed that an evidentiary hearing in the case was ultimately dismissed after he denied the allegations.
Despite the legal challenges and public opposition, Stewart has vowed to proceed with the demonstration at the Capitol on March 28th, even if it leads to his arrest. He anticipates being joined by a small number of other members of The Satanic Grotto but has urged unaffiliated supporters who might be inclined to engage in confrontational behavior to stay away. Stewart emphasized that the group intends to conduct a non-violent demonstration, drawing a parallel to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. "This is not going to be January 6th," he asserted, contrasting his group’s planned demonstration with the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. "We’re not going to be literally slinging fecal matter on the walls."
Stewart explained that the idea of the black mass demonstration in Topeka stemmed from the group’s desire to "build a church that matches how Kansans define Satanism." He described activism as a key component of this effort, noting that The Satanic Grotto began following different groups and counterprotests, which inevitably led them to the State Capitol.
Stewart also criticized what he perceived as a double standard, pointing out that Christian groups regularly engage in protests and demonstrations at the Capitol, often displaying graphic images and holding prayer sessions. "They’re the only ones taking advantage of their rights," he claimed, arguing that The Satanic Grotto should be afforded the same opportunity to express their views.
The controversy surrounding the planned black mass at the Kansas State Capitol raises complex questions about the balance between religious freedom, free speech, and the potential for offensive or sacrilegious expression. While opponents argue that the black mass constitutes a deliberate insult to deeply held religious beliefs, supporters of The Satanic Grotto contend that the group has a right to express its views, even if those views are controversial or unpopular. The outcome of this situation will likely have implications for future debates about the limits of protected expression in the public square.
