Controversy erupts at Iowa city council meeting following Luciferian opening invocation: ‘HAIL SATAN’

A routine local government gathering turned into a scene of intense uproar in Ottumwa, Iowa, after a scheduled invocation opened the City Council session with a prayer directed to a “dark father” and concluded with the phrase “Hail Satan.”

The incident took place during the council’s Tuesday meeting this week, prompting immediate outrage from local attendees and triggering heated exchanges on the council floor.

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Addressing the chamber after Mayor Ben Foote called the session to order, Dalbey asked attendees to stand and began his prayer by addressing a “dark father,” calling on those present to remain “unbowed and unfettered by arcane doctrines born of fearful minds.”

He went on to urge the adoption of the “Luciferian impulse to eat of the tree of knowledge,” referencing the Bible’s story of Adam and Eve being tricked by Satan in the form of a snake, before concluding with “It is done. Hail Satan.”

The opening remarks immediately shocked those in attendance, following which the assembly proceeded to the Pledge of Allegiance.

HOLY SH*T@City_of_Ottumwa in Iowa opened up their most recent city council meeting with a prayer to SATAN.

“Let us pray. Dear dark father… HAIL SATAN”

WTF is wrong with these people??? pic.twitter.com/Ge92TpnLG6— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 7, 2026

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Councilwoman Cara Galloway objected to delaying the agenda, insisting that the council move forward directly to city business since the invocation had already concluded.

WATCH:

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While local officials often face intense public backlash when non-traditional or Satanic invocations are requested, legal counsel frequently advises councils that restricting speakers based on religious content risks costly First Amendment lawsuits.

(*) Full article: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/controversy-erupts-at-iowa-city-council-meeting-following-luciferian-opening-invocation-hail-satan/