Iowa City Council Meeting Sparks Outrage Over Satanic Invocation

WHO:

Fox News - Matt Dalbey, a former member of the Ottumwa City Council, recited a satanic prayer.

Fox News - Rick Bick, Pastor of New Life Center, interrupted the meeting to demand action against Dalbey's invocation.

Fox News - Benjamin Foote, Mayor of Ottumwa, requested a moment of silence after the invocation.

Fox News - Cara Galloway, a member of the Ottumwa City Council, expressed concerns about the invocation policy.

Fox News - Bill Hoffman, a council member, defended Dalbey's right to express his beliefs.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Ottumwa City Council meeting began with a satanic prayer that included the phrase "Hail Satan."

Fox News - Rick Bick described the invocation as a "curse put on the city."

Fox News - Mayor Foote stated that the invocation does not reflect the community's values.

Fox News - The city adopted an invocation policy in January that acknowledges diverse religious beliefs.

WHERE:

Fox News - The event took place at the Ottumwa City Council meeting in Ottumwa, Iowa.

WHEN:

Fox News - The invocation occurred during the first meeting of the month.

WHY:

Fox News - The invocation policy was intended to respect the diversity of religious beliefs among Ottumwa's citizens.

HOW:

Fox News - The invocation was recited by a resident before the council began its official proceedings, which included the Pledge of Allegiance.

(UPDATED October 8, 2026 01:34 UTC)

During a recent Ottumwa City Council meeting in Iowa, a resident recited a satanic prayer that included the phrase "Hail Satan," prompting Pastor Rick Bick to interrupt and call it a "curse put on the city." Mayor Benjamin Foote requested a moment of silence following the invocation, stating that it does not reflect the community's values, while council member Bill Hoffman defended the right to express diverse beliefs. The city adopted an invocation policy in January to acknowledge the variety of religious perspectives among its citizens.