CV NEWS FEED // In a pivotal court development Wednesday, the leader of a group known as the satanic Grotto testified under oath that neither he nor members of his organization possess a validly Consecrated Host, easing a central concern voiced by the Catholic Church ahead of a highly controversial ritual scheduled to take place March 28 at the Kansas State Capitol.
The sworn testimony came just before a civil legal action filed by Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas was set to be heard in district court. The archbishop had sought emergency relief to recover what he believed to be stolen sacred property after promotional materials for the event suggested it would involve desecration of the Eucharist.
BREAKING: The ringleader of a Satanic group planning a "black mass" at the Kansas State Capitol next week testified under oath today that his group does not actually possess a consecrated eucharistic host.
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) March 21, 2025
The revelation came during a court hearing on Archbishop Joseph… pic.twitter.com/ZIheH6eFvC
According to a statement from the Kansas Catholic Conference, the new testimony in court “puts to rest much of the grave concerns expressed by the Catholic Church in Kansas.” The prospect of sacrilege had sparked significant alarm among clergy and laity alike.
“We now have a sworn statement before a judge that the group does not possess a validly Consecrated Host,” said Chuck Weber, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. “This alleviates a major concern.”
Nonetheless, Weber underscored the spiritual offense that remains. “It is still sad that a group can get permission for the use of Statehouse grounds when their sole purpose is the mockery and denigration of not just Catholics, but people from all denominations.”
The satanic group initially received approval to hold the ritual inside the Capitol, but the event was later moved outdoors by the Governor’s office. Following legal input from Kansas Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach, legislative leaders enacted new guidelines aimed at restricting state property use for events involving illegal activity—particularly the destruction of what was presumed to be stolen property.
However, with the group’s leader now having testified under oath that they do not possess a Consecrated Host, the legal rationale for barring the ritual has become less certain. The Kansas Catholic Conference acknowledged, “it is unclear what will happen at the Statehouse on Friday the 28th.”
The group reportedly still intends to desecrate a Bible, a crucifix, and other Christian symbols. Archbishop Naumann is calling on the faithful to respond with prayer.
“These actions are an affront to all Christians,” he stated. “I urge all Catholics, other Christians and people of good will not to succumb to anger or violence, as that would be cooperating with the devil. Rather, approach this situation with confidence in God’s ultimate victory over Satan, sin, and death as stated in Matthew 16:18.”
A Eucharistic Holy Hour will be held across from the Capitol at Assumption Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. on March 28, followed by a noon Mass. Similar observances are planned at the Catholic cathedrals in Wichita, Salina, and Dodge City.CatholicVote recently launched a petition urging Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to cancel the event, calling it “a deliberate and horrifying act of sacrilege.” CatholicVote Vice President Joshua Mercer emphasized that the ritual represented more than free speech—it was “about mocking the core of our beliefs and values.”