Ottumwa, Iowa Council Invokes Satanic Temple Prayer, Exposing Limits of Religious Diversity Policies

On October 6, 2026, former Ottumwa City Council member Matt Dalbey opened the city council meeting with an invocation drawn from The Satanic Temple of Iowa, concluding with the phrase 'Hail Satan.' The prayer referenced a 'dear dark father' and urged embracing the 'Luciferian impulse to eat of the tree of knowledge,' framing it as a call for reason over 'arcane doctrines.' Dalbey, a member of the non-theistic Satanic Temple, clarified the invocation had 'nothing to do with the belief in a satanic deity.'

The delivery followed the city's invocation policy, adopted January 20, 2026, by a 4-1 vote (Councilmember Cara Galloway dissenting). The policy explicitly welcomes 'the diversity of both organized and unorganized religious denominations, as well as other faiths, belief systems, or the lack thereof' among residents and prohibits pre-screening content to avoid discrimination claims. City Administrator Philip Rath noted the open approach shields the city from lawsuits but creates uncertainty.

Immediately after, New Life Center Pastor Rick Bick interrupted, calling for reversal of what he termed a 'curse' on the city and stating 'Hail Satan is not welcome here.' Mayor Benjamin Foote overruled Galloway's procedural objection and called for 30 seconds of silence. The council then recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Galloway later reiterated concerns about financial liability and viewpoint neutrality.

The incident, captured on the city's YouTube channel, quickly drew national attention, with the video amassing thousands of views within hours. Dalbey is scheduled for another invocation on November 3. Local reporting from the Ottumwa Courier and coverage across outlets confirm the details, highlighting how the policy—intended to solemnize proceedings amid America's religious pluralism—tests boundaries in practice. This case illustrates broader tensions: inclusive public rituals can surface clashes between traditional patriotism, Christian heritage, and secular or atheistic expressions, echoing ongoing legal debates over legislative prayer without establishing a preference for any belief system.