The city council meeting in Iowa sparked controversy after it began with a satanic invocation concluding with the phrase 'Glory to Satan,' prompting a local pastor to demand that officials 'cancel this curse.'
Matt Dalbey, a resident of Ottumwa and former city council member, delivered this invocation on Tuesday. This was done under a policy that allows residents of various religions and belief systems to open council meetings with prayer or reflection.
Dalbey began his address by addressing a 'dark father' and invoking what he called a 'Luciferian impulse,' before concluding with the words: 'It is done. Glory to Satan.'
The invocation immediately drew objections from Pastor Rick Bica of New Life Center, who interrupted the proceedings. Following this, Mayor Benjamin Foot called for a 30-second silence 'to reflect on what we need to reflect on at this moment.'
Dalbey's address was permitted according to a policy adopted by the council in January. This document states that Ottumwa, a city of about 25,500 residents, seeks to respect 'the diversity of both organized and unorganized religious confessions, as well as other beliefs or lack thereof.'
Council member Kara Galloway had previously warned that a satanic invocation might occur when she voted against this policy in January. She noted that 'starting with an invocation means allowing viewpoints that may not reflect our own,' warning that selective objection could expose taxpayers to legal liability.
On Wednesday, the city reported receiving numerous calls regarding this prayer, many of which were 'rude and full of profanity,' but emphasized that officials cannot discriminate between confessions or belief systems.
The recording of the meeting garnered over 12,000 views on the city's YouTube channel by Wednesday, becoming the most viewed video ever posted there.
Dalbey plans to deliver another invocation at a council meeting on November 3. He told the Ottumwa Courier that this prayer is used by the Satanic Temple of Iowa, of which he is a member, but that 'it has nothing to do with belief in a satanic deity.' The organization describes itself as non-theistic.