Harvard Cultural Studies Club And Archdiocese of Boston Issue Statements On Satanic Black Mass

In response to Harvard Student Club to Host Satanic Black Mass:

A couple of more statements on the Harvard Black Mass controversy were released, Wednesday afternoon.

First, via the Deacon’s Bench,  a statement from The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club regarding the event:

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.

If their purpose is not to denigrate any faith, holding an event in which a Catholic Mass is mocked and denigrated is an odd way of showing it.

Via Elizabeth Scalia, here is the Archdiocese of Boston’s full statement on the Harvard Black Mass:

The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Boston expresses its deep sadness and strong opposition to the plan to stage a “black mass” on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge.

For the good of the Catholic faithful and all people, the Church provides clear teaching concerning Satanic worship. This activity separates people from God and the human community, it is contrary to charity and goodness, and it places participants dangerously close to destructive works of evil.

In a recent statement, Pope Francis warned of the danger of being naïve about or underestimating the power of Satan, whose evil is too often tragically present in our midst. We call upon all believers and people of good will to join us in prayer for those who are involved in this event, that they may come to appreciate the gravity of their actions, and in asking Harvard to disassociate itself from this activity.