CV NEWS FEED // In response to the satanic worship ritual scheduled to take place outside the Kansas State Capitol March 28, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City is praying for the organizers’ conversion, stating, “Satan is powerless against Jesus Christ.”
The sacrilegious ritual is being allowed by the state’s governor under the pretense that the protestors’ activity is constitutionally protected, as CatholicVote previously reported.
Archbishop Naumann has spoken out against the planned sacrilege, emphasizing that it harms the human soul.
“Satanic worship is disturbing, spiritually harmful and an affront to every Christian,” he said in a statement shared with CatholicVote via email March 13. “We are deeply disappointed that such blasphemous acts that are intended to mock Catholic worship, the beliefs of all Christians, and those who believe in the one true God, are being allowed on the Kansas Statehouse grounds.”
Ultimately, however, the Devil has no power against God, the archbishop continued.
“Despite this act of bigotry from a small minority who crave public attention by insulting Christians, we know that Satan is powerless against Jesus Christ,” he said. “We pray to the one true God for enlightenment for those who have given themselves over to the father of lies and prince of darkness. We pray for their conversion, hoping that they will come to know the God who has loved them into existence.”
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT on March 28, the Kansas Catholic Conference is also inviting Catholics to come to Topeka-based Assumption Catholic Church, which is right across the street from the Capitol building, for Mass and a Holy Hour. Mass will begin at noon.
One of the ritual’s organizers had previously stated that the sacrilege is in protest of pro-life legislatures that take heed of organizations such as the Kansas Catholic Conference (KCC), which represents the Catholic bishops of the state in public policy advocacy.
KCC Executive Director Chuck Weber told CatholicVote March 13 that the statement does not frighten the Conference. The organization will continue its mission to spread the Gospel through legislative advocacy serving the common good.
Weber also told CatholicVote that the Kansas bishops are exploring both spiritual and legal routes in response to the ritual.