Satanic Prayer Opens Iowa Council Meeting, Sparks Outrage and Calls to 'Reverse the Curse'

A city council meeting in Ottumwa, Iowa, began unconventionally last Tuesday when a resident delivered an invocation to Satan. Matthew Dalbey, a former council member and current resident, led the prayer, which included phrases like "Dear Dark father" and concluded with "hail satan."

Footage from the meeting showed attendees standing for the invocation, as is customary, before confusion and disgust spread through the room as Dalbey's prayer unfolded. Some council members and attendees attempted to "reverse the curse" that they felt had been placed upon the meeting.

Following the invocation, council members proceeded to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag, appearing visibly unsettled by the unusual start to the proceedings.

Dalbey identified himself as a member of The Satanic Temple, a non-theistic religious organization. In defense of his actions, Dalbey stated in an interview with KCCI that people in Ottumwa "have a tendency to jump to conclusions and fill in the blanks with information that's not really true, based on very little effort and research and background on it."

The Satanic Temple advocates for religious freedom and engages in various social causes, including reproductive rights, mental health support, and community improvement projects. The organization is currently involved in a lawsuit against the state of Iowa, filed by the ACLU of Iowa, seeking the right to hold a holiday event at the Iowa State Capitol. The ACLU argued that if the state makes public space available for other religious holiday events, it must offer the same access to all religious groups.

Reaction to the incident was divided. Some online commenters supported Dalbey's right to express his religious beliefs, with one stating, "If Christianity is allowed, then all other religions are too." Others suggested that government meetings should refrain from any religious invocations altogether. Conversely, some online users expressed mockery and disbelief regarding the event.

After Dalbey's prayer, a resident identified as Pastor Rick Bick of the Christian New Life Center approached the podium, expressing his concern and urging for the immediate reversal of the perceived curse. Councilmember Cara Galloway initially asked him to wait until the end of the meeting, but Bick insisted on immediate action.

Ottumwa Mayor Benjamin Foote then called for a 30-second moment of silence to allow for reflection before the meeting proceeded with its agenda.