A prominent Catholic group is calling on Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to intervene against a planned "black mass" by a Satanist group at the Statehouse. The Satanic Grotto intends to hold this controversial event on March 28 in Topeka, which has raised significant concerns among local Catholics and other critics.
CatholicVote, a major Catholic advocacy organization, sent a letter to Governor Kelly urging her to prevent what they describe as "religious desecration" at the capitol. Logan Church, the group’s director of political operations, emphasized the need to maintain order and protect the integrity of government property. He acknowledged the constitutional rights to free speech but stressed that these rights should not disrupt the normal functioning of the Statehouse.
The Satanic Grotto has stated that their event will "dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan." Michael Stewart, the group’s president, has made it clear that he plans to go ahead with the black mass, even if it leads to his arrest. He mentioned they have wafers for the event but did not confirm whether they are consecrated, adding an air of mystery to their plans.
CatholicVote argues that the black mass violates building policies and is an unauthorized use of the Statehouse. They expressed deep concerns about potential illegal activities and disorder during the event. The group insists that the Statehouse should not be used for what they consider blasphemous acts and called for law enforcement to be prepared to respond if necessary.
In response to the growing tension, Governor Kelly announced that all events scheduled for March 28 will be moved outdoors, and no protests will be allowed inside the Statehouse that day. She highlighted the importance of balancing constitutional rights with the need to maintain order and safety in public spaces.
Church concluded by urging Christians to unite against actions they perceive as blasphemous, advocating for peaceful protest and public dialogue to uphold shared values.
The situation continues to develop as both sides prepare for the planned event, with many in the community closely watching how it unfolds.