Earlier this morning, I contacted Priya Dua<\/strong>, a spokesperson for The Satanic Temple, and she confirmed for me<\/a> that the organization\u2019s May 12 \u201cRe-enactment of a Satanic Black Mass\u201d would involve the use of a Consecrated Host.<\/p>\n Shortly after our conversation, I was put in touch with Lucien Greaves<\/a>, who appears to be a lead spokesperson for the group. I asked him how the Host had been obtained, and why such an effort had been made. He seemed unsure that one had been obtained, at all.<\/p>\n During our exchange, Greaves remarked<\/strong> that his group \u201chad never brought up the idea of using a consecrated host\u201d in their public material, and seemed puzzled to be asked about it. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t make a difference. We don\u2019t believe in any supernatural power. Consecrated or unconsecrated, it\u2019s just a cracker.\u201d He and his group are, he said, \u201cSatanist\/Atheists\u201d who have never hosted a Black Mass before.<\/p>\n I asked if that were the case, why go out of the way to obtain a Consecrated Host, which \u2014 because they are not exactly sold via Amazon \u2014 would involve someone presenting falsely at Communion during a Holy Mass. Given the group\u2019s insistence that they are engaging in an intellectual and educational exercise meant, as Greaves put it, \u201cas an expression of personal independence from overwhelming cultural influences\u201d, I asked if obtaining a Consecrated Host through stealth \u2014 and using it for an \u201cintellectual\u201d exercise that would constitute grave abuse to believing Catholics \u2014 would pose an ethical dilemma for them which could affect their credibility. Greaves wondered whether anyone connected with the group \u201cwould waste time going to all that trouble. The odds are almost zero.\u201d<\/p>\n Almost<\/em> zero.<\/p>\n Not long after our conversation ended, Priya Dua called<\/strong> me again saying that there has been a \u201cmiscommunication\u201d between members of the organization and that \u201cthere will not be a Consecrated Host used at the Black Mass.\u201d She had no further information for me on how the miscommunication had occurred, and could not tell me what sort of unconsecrated bread would be used, or from where it would be obtained. Speaking anonymously, a spokesman added, \u201cplease understand, there is in fact, respect for the beliefs of others, and our intention was not to be in anyone\u2019s face. We did not mean to mislead.\u201d<\/p>\n So, there it is. The Satanic Temple officially denies that they have obtained a Consecrated Host or will be using it in their re-enactment.<\/p>\n I got the impression that the interest<\/strong> in their original confirmation was heat they neither anticipated, nor wanted. The Satanic Temple is the organization that was behind the Satan statue in Oklahoma<\/a>. They appear to me to be more interested in advocating against belief of any sort, and pricking the culture, than in actually pursuing supernatural interests. That they are more, as it were, \u201cseculo-politico-atheo-satanists\u201d rather than supernaturalists.<\/p>\n Having spoken with several people within the organization, I am not entirely sure they fully understand what they\u2019ve gotten themselves into, with this \u201cre-enactment\u201d. When I asked Greaves what he would do if, in the midst of their exercise, something from the etheric plane made itself known, he laughed and said, \u201cwell, then I\u2019d have to reassess.\u201d<\/p>\n Greaves says his Satanism is \u201ca metaphorical construct\u201d meant to unshackle the world from belief in supernatural good or evil because belief has \u201cled to horrible things\u201d and \u201cthe idea of Satanists as deviants has never done the world any good.\u201d<\/p>\n Interesting. Serving secular-atheism with a mind<\/strong> toward \u201cunshackling\u201d Satan from the confines of wariness seems to me a most dangerous undertaking. As a believer, I will pray for them. Having spoken with diocesan exorcists, I know that many people who have no real intention of inviting in the dark end up becoming imprisoned by it.<\/p>\n NOTE:<\/strong> In any case, Greaves is speaking to others, now and sounding squirrely<\/a>. I have left a message asking him to clarify himself further, and \u2014 since he seems to be parsing words \u2014 have asked him if he intends to use a host that OTHER PEOPLE would call \u201cConsecrated\u201d. Stay Tuned\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n The Holy Eucharist is the physical Presence of Christ Jesus<\/strong> and therefore it is imbued with his power. There is a reason why people who hate religion \u2014 and especially those who do recognize the supernatural \u2014 always seek it out, and try to destroy it,<\/a> in a quest for power.<\/p>\n Let us pray. UPDATE II: Deacon Greg<\/strong> has a further statement<\/a> from an email to him:<\/p>\n I am writing on behalf of The Satanic Temple to relay that there will NOT be a consecrated host at the Black Mass. This was a miscommunication on our part and want to let you know that we respect all religions and don\u2019t want anyone to feel offended. We understand the powerful role that the Eucharist plays in the Christian religion and in no way want to appear as though we don\u2019t respect your traditions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n UPDATE III: Rebecca<\/strong> finds some inconsistencies in past Temple remarks<\/a> and Mark Shea weighs in<\/a>.<\/p>\n UPDATE IV:<\/strong> UPDATE V:
\nUPDATE:
\nHarvard Extension<\/strong> has expanded on their earlier statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nTech Guy Wonders:<\/strong> Are they contradicting themselves, now, or simply being misinterpreted by reporters<\/a>? This follow up<\/a> spurs the question.<\/p>\n
\nMsgr Pope:<\/strong> Why Does Satan Hate You?<\/a><\/p>\n