What Is An Invocation & How Did It Spark Discussion After Recent Tulsa City Council Meeting?

The US Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a religion, however, across Oklahoma and the country, many government entities invite religion into public meetings in the form of an invocation. 

It's part of Tulsa City Council meetings, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, that usually goes unnoticed until the invocation at the council's November 20th meeting caught the attention of Governor Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

WATCH HERE BEGINNING AT 1:49

What's An Invocation?

Merriam-Webster defines an invocation as the act or process of petitioning for help or support: specifically, a prayer of entreaty.

How Does the Tulsa City Council Pick Who Gives an Invocation?

This process is governed by the city council rules, specifically section XX:

Council Rules | Tulsa City Council

The Council shall endeavor to open its Wednesday night 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting with an invocational prayer. The prayer should be cognizant of the many faiths in our community and shall not be used as an opportunity to proselytize or advance, or to disparage any faith or belief or the particular tenets or beliefs of individual faiths.

The prayer leader may use the specific name of their god within the prayer, so long as it is not used in a manner to proselytize or advance, or to disparage any faith or belief or the particular tenets or beliefs of individual faiths. If there is no prayer leader available, the Council will observe a moment of silence for prayerful reflection immediately following the pledge of allegiance. The Council reserves the right to review the text of any prayer to be offered.

The Council extends an invitation to all recognized congregations within the City of Tulsa to sponsor their pastor, minister, rabbi, imam, or other faith leader to provide the invocational prayer for the City Council. Scheduling will be coordinated through the Council Administrator or his representative which may include a scheduling coordinator from outside the Council Staff.

Violation of these provisions as determined by the Council Administrator with advice from the Council Attorney may result in the revocation or suspension of the ability of the sponsoring congregation to sponsor prayer leaders.

What Did The Invocation At Wednesday's Meeting Say?

Here's the transcription:

"As a priestess of the goddess, I invoked the Gorgonia champions of equality and sacred rage. I called to Medusa, monstrous hero of the oppressed, and abused. I opened the eye of Medusa, the stair that petrifies injustice. I call upon the serpent that rises from this land to face the stars, the movement of wisdom unbound. May these leaders find within themselves the embodied divine. The sacred essence of the spark of the universe and the breadth of the Owen. Placed in the hands of these leaders, the sacred work of protecting the sovereignty and autonomy of all our people. Gorgon goddess make them ready and willing to be champions for all in this city, not just those in power. Shine a light for them that they may walk the path of justice protected and prepared, illuminating the darkness. Endow them with the fire of courage. The waters of compassion. The air of truth and the strength of the Earth itself. As above so below. As within. So without. As the universe, so the soul. There be peace among you all. And so it is."

The council did not identify who the woman is just her last name, which is Adams.

What's the Reaction from The Community?

Both Governor Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters weighed in:

Neither outgoing mayor GT Bynum or incoming mayor Monroe Nichols have commented. Wednesday's council meeting moved onto its next agenda item immediately following the invocation.

Here's what a spokesperson for the City of Tulsa told News On 6:

"Invocations are regulated by council rules and all questions regarding the invocation should be directed to the Tulsa City Council"