4 arrested after Satanist group attempts to hold Black Mass at Kansas Statehouse [View all]
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Source: CBS News/AP
March 29, 2025 / 11:14 AM EDT
The leader of a small group of self-described satanists and three other people were arrested Friday following a scuffle inside the Kansas Statehouse arising from an effort by the group's leader to start a Black Mass in the rotunda.
About 30 members of the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, led by its president, Michael Stewart, rallied outside the Statehouse for the separation of church and state. The group also protested what members called the state's favoritism toward Christians in allowing events inside. Gov. Laura Kelly temporarily banned protests inside, just for Friday, weeks after Stewart's group scheduled its indoor ceremony.
The Satanic Grotto's rally outside drew hundreds of Christian counter-protesters because of the Grotto's satanic imagery, and its indoor ceremony included denouncing Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. About 100 Christians stood against yellow police tape marking the Satanic Grotto's area. The two groups yelled at each other while the Christians also sang and called on Grotto members to accept Jesus. Several hundred more Christians rallied on the other side of the Grotto's area, but further away.
Kelly issued her order earlier this month after Roman Catholic groups pushed her to ban any Satanic Grotto event. The state's Catholic Bishops called what the group planned "a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry" mocking the Catholic Mass. Both chambers of the Legislature also approved resolutions condemning it.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satanist-leaders-attempt-hold-black-mass-kansas-statehouse-sparks-chaos-arrests/
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