Kenya, March 23 -- A group from Kansas called the Satanic Grotto has announced that they will hold a controversial event known as a "Black Mass" in the Kansas State Capitol on March 28, just a few days before Easter. This announcement has upset many religious leaders and lawmakers.

The Satanic Grotto is an independent group that describes itself as satanic. They plan to have their event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main area of the Capitol building.

They said in a message on Facebook that the event is meant to "dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan" and to "indulge in sacrilegious blasphemy."

They also declared, "God will fall and Kansas will be embraced by the black flame of Lucifer," ending with "Hail Satan."

This announcement has led to strong opposition from Christian groups and state officials.

The Kansas Catholic Conference called the event "an insult to not only Catholics but all people of good will," with Executive Director Chuck Weber describing it as "a vile and despicable satanic worship ritual."

Catholic Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City has filed a lawsuit, claiming that the group took a consecrated Eucharistic host-an important item in the Catholic faith-for desecration during the ritual.

However, Michael Stewart, the president of the Satanic Grotto, says that the host was bought online.

Governor Laura Kelly, a Democrat, ordered the event to be moved outdoors for safety and respect.

But Stewart has said they will hold the ritual inside the Capitol, stating, "We will be performing our ritual inside the Capitol, and if they want to stop us, they'll have to arrest us."

This has raised tensions, with Stewart calling the Black Mass an "act of civil disobedience" and a protest against the strong Christian influence in state politics.

In response, lawmakers from both parties changed the Capitol rules last week to limit gatherings that involve legal violations or threats, which many believe is aimed at the Satanic Grotto.

At the same time, a group called the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP) is organizing a counter-protest, planning to hold a "rosary rally of reparation" outside the Capitol on the same day. A petition by TFP to cancel the event has received over 35,000 signatures.

The Kansas Department of Administration has confirmed that the Satanic Grotto's initial request to hold the event was approved, as state law prevents denying public space based on religious belief.

However, officials are now looking again at the event's status because of the new rules and ongoing legal issues.

As Easter gets closer, this situation is putting Kansas in the national spotlight, raising questions about free speech, religious rights, and public tolerance.

With protests and legal challenges ahead, the situation is still changing, and authorities are preparing for possible unrest at the Capitol on March 28.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.