By Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, has filed a legal petition in Leavenworth County District Court, seeking the return of consecrated Eucharistic elements allegedly stolen by a Satanic organization. The group, known as The Grotto Society (or The Satanic Grotto), has publicly announced plans to desecrate the sacred elements during an upcoming ritual, commonly referred to as a “black mass.” The archbishop’s motion argues that the consecrated hosts and wine remain the rightful property of the Catholic Church and must be returned immediately.
The lawsuit specifically names Michael T. Stewart and Travis L. Roberts, leaders of The Grotto Society, and invokes state laws concerning the wrongful possession of personal property. The legal filing asserts that Stewart, who operates under the online pseudonym “Simon Satanas,” admitted in social media posts to obtaining a consecrated host and wine for use in the planned March 28 event at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Further court documents indicate that Stewart later confirmed possession of the elements in a phone conversation with Gerald “Chuck” Weber Jr., executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. During the call, Stewart allegedly stated his intent to desecrate the Eucharist, despite a directive from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly that relocated the event outside the statehouse grounds.
The Catholic Church holds that the Eucharist, once consecrated, becomes the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ. As such, its desecration is considered a grave offense. Archbishop Naumann’s legal petition contends that consecrated Eucharistic elements remain under Church ownership and cannot lawfully be possessed by unauthorized individuals. The filing further emphasizes that the Eucharist holds immeasurable spiritual and theological significance, stating that its value “cannot be measured monetarily.”
Given the explicit nature of the defendants’ statements regarding their intentions, the motion urges the court to take immediate action, writes OSV News. Archbishop Naumann has requested a ruling that mandates the return of the Eucharist within 24 hours or, alternatively, authorizes law enforcement to retrieve the elements and return them to the Church. The filing also seeks a restraining order prohibiting Stewart, Roberts, and their organization from hiding, consuming, or damaging the sacred items. A court hearing is scheduled for March 20 to determine the case’s next steps.
In response to the controversy, the Archdiocese of Kansas City has called upon Catholics to engage in prayer and advocacy.
A satanic worship event is to take place outside of the Kansas State Capitol on Friday, March 28. Archbishop Naumann and the Kansas Catholic Conference, the Bishops’ voice on matters of public policy, are asking the faithful to respond with prayers for the spiritual conversion of those taking part in this act of anti-Christian bigotry. Legal options are being explored.
Satanic worship is disturbing, spiritually harmful, and an affront to every Christian. Participants may claim that the destructive and offensive acts during a “black mass” are part of their religious freedom or free speech rights under the First Amendment. However, these rights have limits and do not allow individuals to act in ways that include or incite lawless behavior.
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. We call upon Governor Kelly and the State Legislature to disallow this act of blasphemy to take place, which is clearly designed to mock Christianity and be provocative.
We must not allow ourselves to be provoked to anger or violence, as that would be cooperation with the devil. Instead, we should approach this situation with all confidence in God’s ultimate victory over Satan, sin and death. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).
The archbishop has urged the faithful to contact Governor Kelly, asking her to prohibit the event.
The planned “black mass” has sparked broader debates about religious freedom and anti-Catholic sentiment. The Kansas Catholic Conference has denounced the event as an act of deliberate provocation and religious intolerance, emphasizing that it is deeply offensive to Catholics and all people of good will.
Attacks on Catholic churches have been on the rise over the past few years. In 2022, Catholic churches were threatened by pro-choice radicals in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling that states should legislate the issue of abortion rather than the courts.
In 2023, it was also revealed that Biden’s FBI had begun spying on Catholic Churches after liberals called the rosary as tools of radicalism and Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled television ads about Jesus as “fascism.”
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