A "black mass" organized by a Satanic group at the Kansas Statehouse on March 28 resulted in arrests and violence. The event, which was moved outdoors after being banned from inside the Capitol building, saw the group's leader, Michael Stewart, arrested for punching a protester. Prior to the altercation, Stewart was filmed desecrating a host on the Capitol steps. Catholic leaders had organized prayers in response to the event.
about 2 months ago
On March 28, 2025, a "black mass" organized by the Satanic Grotto at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka led to violence and multiple arrests 1 2 3 4. The events unfolded despite Governor Laura Kelly's attempt to restrict the group's activities to outside the Capitol building 1 2. The Grotto's leader, Michael Stewart, publicly defied this order, entering the Capitol and initiating a Satanic invocation 1 2 4.
Michael Stewart was arrested after punching a counter-protester, Marcus Schroeder, who attempted to take papers from him during the invocation 1 2 3 4. Schroeder was also arrested 1 3. Two other individuals, Jocelyn Frazee and Sean Anderson, were arrested for unlawful assembly 1 3. Stewart faces charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly 1 3.
In response to the "black mass," Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City led a Mass and Eucharistic adoration at Assumption Church, located across from the Capitol 1 2 3 4. Approximately 400 people attended the service 1 2. Archbishop Naumann described the event as "hate speech" and lamented the use of the Capitol as a venue for it 1 3. Catholic leaders had urged peaceful and prayerful resistance 2 4.
Prior to the event, Stewart had claimed to possess a consecrated host and wine, leading to a lawsuit filed by Archbishop Naumann 1 2 3 4. Stewart later admitted under oath that he did not have a consecrated host 1 2 3 4. Video footage showed Stewart desecrating what appeared to be a host on the Capitol steps 1 3.