The Kansas House passed a resolution condemning a planned "black mass" by members of the Satanic Grotto, a satanic organization.

The group’s application to hold an event on March 28 at the Kansas Statehouse was approved, but Gov. Laura Kelly later directed the protest be outside. The state is prohibited from denying event applications due to religious affiliations.

Kelly cited health and safety as the reason. So far 44 people indicated they will attend on Facebook, but counter-protests are also being organized.

Kansas City, Kansas, Archdiocese Joseph Naumann accused the Satanic Grotto of stealing a consecrated host, which in Catholicism is the unleavened bread distributed at Catholic Mass that have been blessed by a priest, in a civil lawsuit. But Naumann dropped the lawsuit after Michael Stewart, president of the Satanic Grotto, testified that the wafers were lawfully purchased.

“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. 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.

Stewart said the suit was based on assumptions about what his group calls a consecrated host.

“Catholic law is not American law," Stewart said. "In our particular ritual, I always do the consecration myself."

Resolution passes, critics worry about First Amendment implications

The resolution denouncing the event begins by acknowledging the free speech rights guaranteed to American citizens, before condemning the event.

“The planned satanic worship ritual is an explicit act of anti-Catholic bigotry and an affront to all Christians. It blasphemes our shared values of faith, decency and respect that strengthen our communities,” the resolution says.

Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, said the House sought how it could respond to the event while still respecting First Amendment rights to speech and assembly.

“We again, fully support, and many of us I’m sure would defend, your right to say what you will at a peaceful assembly. But a satanic ritual goes against what many of us believe, and beyond simply a matter of peacefully assembling,” Rahjes said.

But some lawmakers weren’t convinced, and thought the resolution could run afoul of the First Amendment. Rep. Silas Miller, D-Wichita, argued the resolution violates five of six clauses of the First Amendment and that as an official action of a state legislature it is subject to First Amendment scrutiny.

“Freedom of religion allows everyone to worship and practice their faith however they see fit without interference from the government under equal protections,” Miller said. “Freedom of religion means freedom from religion, meaning the government cannot compel anyone to favor one over another, or practice in any certain way even if someone’s practice is foreign, hard to understand or even offensive.”

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer-Clayton, D-Overland Park, said the event offends her as a Catholic but had issues with language in the resolution accusing the group of stealing the hosts.

Most opponents of the resolution were Democrats, but Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, D-Topeka, did lend his support to the resolution.

"No one is denying or forbidding this group, whatever they may be called, from being here and protesting. But I do take exception when a group willfully tries to bait and offend the believers of other faiths and things that are sacred to them," Schlingenseipen said.

Protest to continue as planned

Though condemned, Stewart said the protest will go on as planned. He also said he still plans to enter the Statehouse in violation to Kelly’s order to move the protest outside.

“Our intention is to pay attention to the civil rights leaders that came before us and to peacefully enter that capital, peacefully go do our prayer and our liturgy in our permitted place, and then to peacefully leave if they arrest us during that that is the capitals prerogative,” Stewart said.

The Kansas Catholic Conference will also hold a Eucharist Holy Hour at Assumption Catholic Church directly across the street.