Hate has no place in Kansas, especially within the walls of the Kansas Statehouse. The state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” meaning “to the stars, through difficulty,” has always symbolized the strength of Kansans to rise above challenges and bigotry. It reminds us that the greatness of the state lies in its ability to overcome adversity.
This motto stands as a beacon of hope now, as Kansas faces an unfortunate and divisive threat. On March 28, Satanists plan to desecrate a precious, stolen Eucharist, which holds deep significance for Catholics across Kansas and the nation.
Catholics consider the Eucharist to be the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ—the source and summit of their faith. For this reason, this planned act of hate cannot be allowed to take place on the grounds of the Capitol, a building that represents unity, justice, and the values of Kansas.
Governor Laura Kelly and all Kansans of goodwill must stand together to prevent this act of hate from happening. A few weeks ago, Catholics were shocked to hear that the Satanic Grotto group intended to hold a black mass inside the Kansas State Capitol. A black mass typically involves the theft of a consecrated host, which Catholics believe to be the real presence of Jesus. It is a sacrilegious event, often accompanied by vile rituals, including sexual acts or even desecration of the Eucharist itself.
It should be clear to everyone that such mockery of any religious symbol or sacred belief is unacceptable. The Satanic Grotto’s plans have made this condemnation even more urgent, given the extreme, violent behavior associated with the group. Their actions are far removed from the values held by the vast majority of Kansans.
Michael Stewart, the founder and president of the Satanic Grotto, previously claimed to possess stolen consecrated hosts that he planned to use in the black mass. He has since testified under oath that he no longer has these hosts, but the irony of his statement raises serious concerns. This rhetoric of defiance, coupled with his group’s extreme beliefs, only adds to the growing alarm.
When Governor Kelly revoked the permit for the event to be held inside the Capitol, she still allowed the Satanists to have it outside on the Capitol grounds. Stewart, however, made it clear that his group would defy the governor’s order and attempt to keep the black mass inside the building. In a public statement, he threatened that the Capitol Police would have to arrest them if they tried to stop them from entering.
Stewart’s social media posts have also been alarming, with one in particular seemingly threatening Governor Kelly. In this post, Stewart wrote that if the governor “takes a shot at the devil,” she better “hit, because if you miss, there will be hell to pay.” Such violent language is not new for Stewart.
In 2023, a video surfaced in which he boasted about an altercation with a pro-life advocate outside an abortion clinic. In the video, Stewart made disturbing threats, including physical violence, and admitted that a restraining order had been filed against him by the pro-life advocate.
The vice president of the Satanic Grotto, Travis Roberts, has also made concerning posts, including anti-Catholic statements and content suggesting possible assassination attempts on President Trump. These troubling actions only add to the need for urgent action from Kansas leaders to prevent the black mass from taking place.
Given the violent rhetoric and the disturbing nature of this event, CatholicVote sent a letter to Governor Kelly urging her to prevent the black mass from taking place on state property. The letter outlined suggestions for how to prevent the unauthorized use of the Capitol for such an event. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City also filed a lawsuit demanding the return of the stolen Eucharist and wine, which the Satanic group allegedly took.
Catholics hope that the lawsuit and the letter will stop the black mass from happening, whether on Capitol grounds or elsewhere. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach recently voiced his strong opposition to the event during a legislative meeting, stressing that the black mass should not be allowed on state property due to the theft and potential desecration of sacred religious items.
At this moment, other state leaders and citizens must join Attorney General Kobach in demanding that Governor Kelly take swift action to stop the event. The Kansas Statehouse is a symbol of justice, law, and the progress the state has made over the years. It should not be exploited to spread hate.
While the future of this event remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Catholic Kansans are not standing idle. They are praying for a solution and hoping that the values of unity and respect will prevail. Kansas has faced many challenges in the past, but its history proves that when the people come together, they can achieve greatness. In the spirit of the state’s motto, Kansas can rise above this challenge and protect its values from hate.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
