A prominent Catholic group is urging Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to stop a Satanist group from performing a “black mass” at the Statehouse.
The Satanic Grotto is planning to hold a “black mass” on March 28 at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, causing alarm among critics who warned the controversial event is wildly offensive to Catholics and could be disruptive.
CatholicVote, one of the country’s largest Catholic advocacy groups, sent a letter to Kelly, a Democrat, on Wednesday urging her to prevent any religious desecration at the capitol building.
“While we recognize the constitutional protections for speech and expression, we also trust that your office understands the importance of maintaining law, order, and the integrity of government property against any attempts to disrupt its normal function,” wrote Logan Church, CatholicVote’s director of political operations in his letter to Kelly, which was provided to The Daily Wire.
The Satanic Grotto said the “black mass” event will “dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan.”
“God will fall and Kansas will be embraced by the black flame of Lucifer,” the group said.
“I will be performing that black mass in our State Capitol,” Satanic Grotto President Michael Stewart previously told The Daily Wire. “If they have to arrest me, then they have to arrest me.”
A “black mass” is an explicit parody of the Catholic Mass that may use consecrated hosts, which Catholics believe to be the physical body, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.
“We have wafers,” Stewart said. “I don’t want to comment on whether they’re consecrated or not because that would ruin the mystery.”
CatholicVote said the “black mass” event “clearly violates building policies and established protocols” and is an “unauthorized use of the Statehouse.”
The group said it is “deeply concerned” about potential “illegal entry and disorder” at the capitol building and urged the governor to strictly enforce the policies governing the use of the capitol building
“The Statehouse belongs to the people, of all religious beliefs, and cannot be used for religious desecration,” the group wrote. “If Stewart or his group attempts to trespass or disrupt the Capitol’s function, law enforcement should be fully prepared to respond appropriately, including arrests if necessary,” CatholicVote wrote.
The group called on the governor to make sure security limits entry to those with official business and is prepared to prevent safety threats to members of the public, “including those peacefully praying outside.”
“The Kansas Capitol symbolizes law, order, and the values of the people it represents. Allowing a group that openly declares its intent to violate regulations and perform a blasphemous act inside a state building would set a dangerous precedent,” CatholicVote said.
Kelly has said that all events for March 28 will be moved outdoors, and “no protests will be allowed inside the Statehouse” on that day.
“Respect for constitutional rights must always be balanced with a commitment to preserving order, safety, and the integrity of public institutions,” Church said in a statement to The Daily Wire.
“When an individual or group openly challenges the laws that govern public spaces, it is not only a matter of policy enforcement, but of protecting the values that hold our community together,” he added. “Christians everywhere should unite, standing firm against such blasphemous actions from all angles — through peaceful protest, public dialogue, and unwavering support for the sanctity of our shared values.”
Stewart, the Satanic Grotto president has previously shown up outside Planned Parenthood and performed lewd gestures to pro-life protesters outside.
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