A planned “Black Mass” at the Kansas State Capitol on March 28, 2025, has ignited significant controversy and mobilized opposition from various religious groups, notably TFP Student Action. The Satanic Grotto, the organization behind the event, describes it as a ritual to “dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan,” involving rites of the Black Mass and acts of sacrilegious blasphemy. YouTube+13America Needs Fatima+13TFP Student Action+13https://www.wibw.com+7Christian Post+7The Topeka Capital-Journal+7
In response, TFP Student Action, a Catholic advocacy group, launched a petition urging state officials to cancel the event. The petition emphasizes that such a ceremony offends Catholics worldwide and asserts that “sacrilege is simply NOT free speech.” As of March 25, 2025, the petition has garnered over 46,000 signatures. This is Topeka+1Kansas Reflector+1The American TFP+3TFP Student Action+3The Topeka Capital-Journal+3
John Ritchie, director of TFP Student Action, stated, “Every black mass is an act of hatred against God.” He further noted that such events typically involve the desecration of a consecrated host, which is considered a grave offense by the Catholic community. The American TFP+6Kansas Reflector+6The American TFP+6America Needs Fatima+6The American TFP+6TFP Student Action+6
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly acknowledged the concerns surrounding the event, describing it as “insulting” and “denigrating.” However, she also highlighted the constitutional protections of free speech and expression, stating that her office has limited authority to prevent such actions. Consequently, all events, including the Black Mass, have been moved outdoors on March 28, with no protests permitted inside the Statehouse. The American TFP+6New York Post+6YouTube+6The American TFP+10Christian Post+10https://www.wibw.com+10
The Satanic Grotto has expressed intentions to proceed with the event inside the Capitol, potentially setting the stage for legal disputes. In parallel, TFP Student Action is organizing a rosary rally of reparation on the south side of the Kansas State Capitol on March 28, starting at 10:15 AM, to peacefully protest the Black Mass. The Topeka Capital-Journal+8America Needs Fatima+8https://www.wibw.com+8https://www.wibw.com+5The American TFP+5The American TFP+5
This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between First Amendment rights and the protection of religious sensibilities, prompting debates on the boundaries of free expression and the role of public spaces in hosting controversial events.
