Harvard University will hold a Black Mass this evening, sponsored by the Cultural Studies Club and conducted by New York Satanists. Though the rite centers upon the profanation of a Communion wafer–usually sexual, according to Wikipedia, probably having something to do with the naked woman on the altar–the club is assuring the public that a consecrated Host will not be used.
UPDATE: The club now says that the Black Mass will be held off-campus.
UPDATE: The club now says that it could not find a venue and that it will no longer sponsor the event. The organized prayers against the Black Mass must have worked!
From Catholic Church Condemns Black Mass Reenactment At Harvard University « CBS Boston:
A reenactment of a Black Mass celebrating Satan is scheduled to take place at Harvard University on Monday evening. It has outraged the Catholic Church, but the group holding the event says it’s educational.
The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club is hosting the Satanic Temple from New York. The Black Mass is scheduled for Monday night in the basement of Memorial Hall. . . .
The club released the following statement:
We are hosting a reenactment of a historical event known as a Black Mass. The performance is designed to be educational and is preceded by a lecture that provides the history, context, and origin of the Black Mass. While a piece of bread is used in the reenactment, the performance unequivocally does not include a consecrated host. Our purpose is not to denigrate any religion or faith, which would be repugnant to our educational purposes, but instead to learn and experience the history of different cultural practices. This performance is part of a larger effort to explore religious facets that continue to influence contemporary culture.
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