In a shocking event that unfolded at the Kansas State Capitol, Michael Stewart, the leader of the “Satanic Grotto,” was arrested after an altercation involving a young Christian counter-protester. The incident occurred during the group’s controversial “Black Mass” ritual on Friday.
Stewart, alongside at least three other members of his group, initiated their demonstration on the Capitol steps, where they desecrated unconsecrated communion wafers amidst a sea of Christian counter-protesters. The situation escalated when Stewart violated a permit restriction issued by Governor Laura Kelly, which prohibited ritual performances inside the building.
Upon entering the rotunda, Stewart began reciting from a script when Marcus Schroeder, a 21-year-old Christian counter-protester, attempted to seize the paper from him. In response, Stewart punched Schroeder in the face, leading to swift intervention by Capitol Police who subdued and detained Stewart.
EXCLUSIVE | Leader of Satanic Grotto ARRESTED at Kansas Capitol Building for attempting ‘Black Mass’
— LifeSiteNews (@LifeSite)
March 28, 2025
The ritual aimed to desecrate a consecrated Eucharistic host, a revered element in Catholic tradition. However, it remains unclear whether the group managed to proceed with this act before arrests were made.
Stewart faces charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly, with a bond set at $1,000. In a surprising twist, Schroeder, despite being the victim of an assault, was also charged with disorderly conduct and faces the same bond amount.
Furthermore, two other members of the Satanic Grotto, Jocelyn Frazee, 32, and Sean Anderson, 50, were arrested on charges of unlawful assembly as they attempted to continue the ritual after Stewart’s arrest.
