Imagine walking past a church nativity scene, expecting to see the familiar figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, only to find them missing, replaced by a chilling message: 'ICE was here.' This is exactly what happened at St. Susanna's Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, sparking a heated debate that has now reached the Archbishop of Boston himself.
The unconventional display, erected shortly after Thanksgiving, suggests that the Holy Family was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents—a bold statement on immigration policies that has divided both the community and church leadership. But here's where it gets controversial: While some praise the church for using its platform to spark dialogue about contemporary issues, others, including the Archdiocese, argue that sacred spaces should remain free from political messaging.
Archbishop Richard Henning has scheduled a meeting with Father Stephen Josoma, the priest behind the display, to discuss the matter after the holidays. In an interview with The Boston Globe, Henning emphasized his intention to listen first, stating, 'He was the one that asked to speak with me. I'd like to hear him first.' A spokesperson for the Archdiocese confirmed the meeting will take place in January.
This isn’t the first time St. Susanna's has made headlines with its nativity scenes. In 2018, the church depicted baby Jesus in a cage, another powerful commentary on immigration. Father Josoma explained earlier this month, 'Our hope was to create dialogue around contemporary life.' And this is the part most people miss: The church sees these displays as a way to connect faith with real-world issues, but the Archdiocese counters that such actions violate church norms, which prohibit using sacred objects for anything other than devotion.
The controversy has even drawn criticism from ICE Director Todd Lyons, who called the display 'abhorrent' and accused it of promoting a 'dangerous and extremist narrative.' Meanwhile, during Christmas Day Mass, Father Josoma subtly acknowledged the uproar, joking, 'If you go to a family's house this day and they ask you where you went to Mass and you mention St. Susanna's, you might get a look. Just say, 'It's so good to see you!''
Here’s the bigger question: Should churches use their platforms to address political and social issues, or should they remain strictly focused on spiritual matters? The Archdiocese argues that worshippers have a right to expect prayer and devotion, not division. But is it possible for faith and activism to coexist without conflict? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that’s far from over.
