Iowa Council Meeting Opens With Invocation to Satan

OTTUMWA, IA — An invocation to Satan delivered by former city council member Matt Dalbey opened the Ottumwa City Council’s October 6 meeting, prompting objections from a local pastor and renewed attention to the city’s policy permitting diverse religious and nonreligious viewpoints.

Dalbey, a member of the Iowa chapter of The Satanic Temple, concluded his remarks with “It is done. Hail Satan.” His invocation called for rejecting traditional religious doctrines and embracing what he described as the “Luciferian impulse” to pursue knowledge and challenge established beliefs.

Rick Bick, pastor of New Life Center, responded by urging council members to reverse what he called a curse on the city. “That ‘Hail Satan’ is not welcome here,” Bick said, pressing officials to address the invocation immediately.

The council permitted the invocation under a policy adopted January 20 that recognizes the religious and nonreligious beliefs represented among city residents. Following the meeting, officials said they could not discriminate against a denomination and explained that speakers follow the required protocol. The council added that it does not know in advance what invocation speakers will say and does not automatically endorse their remarks.

The Satanic Temple describes Satan as a symbol of rebellion against arbitrary authority rather than a literal supernatural being. The organization has pursued religious-accommodation claims and campaigns involving abortion and LGBT issues. Dalbey is scheduled to deliver another invocation at the council’s November 3 meeting.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Satanic Temple’s revival in Baltimore sparked protests.