Ottumwa, Iowa — The city council opened its October 6 meeting by permitting a prayer to Satan, triggering immediate debate among officials.
Matt Dalbey, a member of the Satanic Temple of Iowa, led the invocation beginning with “Dear Dark Father” and concluding with “Hail Satan.” Mayor Benjamin Foote had invited members of the public to offer such invocations during the meeting. Council members stood during the prayer, except for Cara Galloway.
After the invocation, New Life Center pastor Rick Bick rose to protest, stating: “Let’s just reverse that curse that was just put on our city.” Council member Cara Galloway countered that the city had no choice but to allow the event under its invocation policy adopted in January. She emphasized the policy aims to respect religious diversity without endorsing any specific faith.
The city has reported receiving calls from residents, with some expressing concern and others using profane language. According to the city’s policy: “We cannot discriminate against a denomination… We are not informed ahead of time what will be said for an invocation nor do we automatically endorse what the speaker is saying.”