Leaders of a Catholic Church in Massachusetts have decided to keep a controversial Nativity scene that includes a message against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, despite criticism and an order from the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to remove it. The Nativity scene at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham replaces the traditional figures of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with a sign that reads, “ICE was here,” suggesting that the Holy Family has been detained by immigration officials.

A smaller message indicates that the three figures are “safe in the Sanctuary of our Church,” and another includes contact information for an immigrant advocacy group that tracks ICE activity in Massachusetts. Traditional elements such as shepherds, sheep, and the Three Wise Men remain in place around the manger.

Church leaders set up the Nativity scene shortly after Thanksgiving as part of a recurring tradition of non-traditional Nativity scenes organized by the parish’s peace and justice group. The Rev. Stephen Josoma, of the congregation, said in a statement that the intention was not to provoke controversy, but to encourage reflection and dialogue.

“Our hope was to [...] evoke dialogue around an issue that is at the heart of contemporary life,” he said, explaining that the Nativity scene invites reflection on what the birth of Christ would be like in the modern world. He described the Nativity as religious art intended to evoke emotions and introspection. The pastor acknowledged that many people disagree with the message, but pointed out that this does not mean the exhibition is sacrilegious.

However, the Archdiocese of Boston disagrees. Church leaders ordered the parish to remove the sign, arguing that it violates ecclesiastical rules governing the use of sacred objects. In a statement, they said that the faithful have a right to expect spaces dedicated to prayer and devotion, “not divisive political messaging,” and called for the Nativity scene to be restored to its traditional and sacred purpose. They also pointed out that the parish had not requested or received permission to deviate from those rules.

Mixed reactions

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons also condemned the Nativity scene. He called it “absolutely abhorrent” and accused it of contributing to a dangerous narrative. Lyons told Fox News in a statement that such messages fuel hostility toward law enforcement and cited what he described as a dramatic increase in attacks on ICE agents. The official made a similar statement about apps where users report Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. On the other hand, he applauded the Archdiocese of Boston for publicly opposing the exhibit and said that many ICE agents in Massachusetts are devout Catholics and first-generation Americans.

Similarly, local press reports indicate that the Nativity scene has divided Dedham residents. Some locals and parishioners praised it for addressing what they consider humanitarian issues related to the enforcement of immigration laws. Others, however, criticized the scene as inappropriate or risky, saying that a church is not the right place to convey a message that singles out a federal law enforcement agency.

Overall, the Nativity scene has sparked both political and religious debate. Online reactions have also been divided, ranging from gratitude to the parish to accusations that the display mocks the meaning of Christmas. Even some who applauded the church’s intentions expressed concern that the message could fuel tensions at an already polarized time.

This is not the first time that St. Susanna Parish has attracted national attention for its Christmas decorations. In 2018, the church depicted baby Jesus in a cage to criticize family separation policies during Donald Trump’s first administration. Previous decorations have addressed issues such as gun violence and climate change. All have sparked debate and reinforced the parish’s reputation for using religious imagery to address contemporary social issues.

The St. Susanna Parish is not the only church to have taken this kind of action. Two churches in the Chicago area used non-traditional Nativity scenes to refer to the enforcement of immigration laws. In Evanston, Lake Street Church depicted baby Jesus with his hands tied and Mary and Joseph wearing gas masks to draw a parallel between the Holy Family’s story as refugees and the detention of immigrants today. Another nearby church removed the Holy Family entirely and placed a sign indicating that they were “in hiding” due to ICE activity.

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