Harvard Satanic Mass: A satanic black mass that was going to be performed at Harvard University was canceled after outrage from local religious groups.

A student group that planned to hold a satanic mass as part of an educational program canceled the black mass after they couldn't find a new location for the mass. The Harvard Extension School said the club has moved the event off-campus, but it did not identify the site. The Boston Herald reported that the entire event was called off.

Reports say that the New York-based Satanic Temple performed a scaled-down version of the event, that did not have sponsorship from the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club, off campus at the Hong Kong lounge in Harvard Square.

Harvard President Drew Faust, no relation to the literary Faust, posted a message on the Harvard's website saying the origin of satanic black mass was to denigrate the Catholic Church. Faust said the satanic mass mocked a sacred event in Catholicism.

Faust said the decision by the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club to stage the event is "flagrantly disrespectful and inflammatory."

Faust announced that she plans to attend a Eucharistic holy hour and benediction on the Harvard campus.

The Boston Archdiocese last week said the black mass mocks the Catholic Mass.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Boston condemned the black mass. The Archdiocese cited recent warnings of Pope Francis about the encroaching influence of Satan in the world:

"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."

In a statement, Harvard President Drew Faust said it would be "deeply regrettable" if the event' proceeded but "Nevertheless, consistent with the university's commitment to free expression, including expression that may deeply offend us, the decision to proceed is and will remain theirs. At the same time, we will vigorously protect the right of others to respond - and to address offensive expression with expression of their own."