Oklahoma governor denounces planned Black Mass

August 13, 2014

Oklahoma’s Governor Mary Fallin has denounced plans to stage a “Black Mass” in Oklahoma City in September, but indicated that she will not intervene to stop the event.

“This 'Black Mass' is a disgusting mockery of the Catholic faith, and it should be equally repellent to Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” the governor said. “It may be protected by the First Amendment, but that doesn't mean we can't condemn it in the strongest terms possible for the moral outrage which it is.”

Governor Fallin said that it was “shocking and disgusting” that Satanists plan the ceremony, and said that she would pray that the event will be cancelled.

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City and Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa have urged public officials to block the Black Mass, which has been scheduled for the Oklahoma City Civic Center on September 21. City officials have said that they cannot intervene, as long as the organizers agree to adhere to city ordinances and abide by the rules for events in the city-owned building.

Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Slattery have also called upon the faithful of Oklahoma to undertake a novena of prayer and fasting for the cancellation of the event. That novena began on August 6 and concludes on August 15, the feast of the Assumption.

 

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Further information:

• Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin Calls Planned Black Mass ‘Disgusting Mockery’ of Catholic Faith (Breitbart)
• Oklahoma Governor Backs Archbishop in Condemning Black Mass (Zenit)
• Bishops move to counter black Mass in Oklahoma City (CWN, 8/6)