Dedham Church Keeping Anti-ICE Nativity Scene Despite Archdiocese: Reports

DEDHAM, MA — The Archdiocese of Boston wants anti-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Nativity scene taken down from a Dedham church but the pastor hopes to meet with the Archbishop about it this weekend, according to reports.

"Calling it a 'politically divisive display,' the Boston Archdiocese has asked a local suburban parish to remove a Nativity scene that substitutes images of the Holy Family with a sign criticizing the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign," the National Catholic Reporter said of the reaction to Saint Susanna Parish's Nativity scene.

The church's Nativity scene is missing Jesus, Mary and Joseph but includes a sign reading, "ICE WAS HERE," according to its Facebook page.

Related: Dedham Church Protests ICE With Nativity Scene

A second sign in the Saint Susanna Nativity scene says, "The Holy Family is safe in The Sanctuary of Our Church. If You see I.C.E. Please Call LUCE AT 617-370-5023."

LUCE is a "coalition of immigrant-led, grassroots organizations who build people power for everyone across Massachusetts," according to its website.

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Rev. Stephen Josoma of Saint Susanna planned the Nativity Scene, according to WCVB.

"What is the objective by doing this? To help people recognize the plight of people who are really in dire need, and how are we treating them," Josoma said in the WCVB story. "We're supposed to bring out the best of people in Christmas."

But the archdiocese has a different take, according to reports.

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“The display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose,” the Archdiocese said in a statement, according to the New York Post.

“The people of God have the right to expect that, when they come to church, they will encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship — not divisive political messaging, the Church’s norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of God’s people,” an archdiocese spokesman said in the Post story.

WBUR reported that no one from St. Susanna requested or received permission for the display from the archdiocese, which said "church norms 'prohibit the use of sacred objects' for purposes other than worship."

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Despite the backlash from the archdiocese, the controversial Nativity scene until Josoma can speak with the Archbishop Richard Henning, per CBS news.

"If the circus continues, we'll take it down. We don't want this to be ongoing. We are just making a statement and I think we got our message out," Josoma said in the CBS story. "Our hope was to create dialogue around contemporary life. Some do not agree with our message, but that does not render our display sacrilegious."

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