’ICE was here’ Nativity at St. Susanna in Dedham Fuels Dispute — Archdiocese, ICE Officials Reportedly Seek Removal
St. Susanna Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, has sparked local debate with a Nativity that features an empty manger and a sign reading “ICE was here,” intended by pastor Fr. Steve Josomo to highlight immigration enforcement concerns affecting parishioners.
Key takeaways
- Empty manger display: The Nativity at St. Susanna includes an empty manger and a sign reading “ICE was here”, plus contact information for a Massachusetts group that monitors immigration enforcement.
- Pastor’s intent: Fr. Steve Josomo confirmed the installation and said it was intended as a pastoral outreach to highlight enforcement impacts on parish families.
- Reported reactions: Local reports say the Boston Archdiocese requested removal and ICE acting director Todd Lyons criticized the display as adding to a “dangerous narrative.”
- Verification limits: Full, direct statements from the Archdiocese and ICE were not available to Times Media Service at the time of reporting.
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What happened at St. Susanna
Parishioners and passersby noticed this month that St. Susanna Parish in Dedham staged a nontraditional Nativity. The scene included Mary, Joseph and shepherds, but the central manger was empty. A small printed sign near the manger read “ICE was here” and displayed a phone number and contact information for a Massachusetts group that tracks immigration enforcement activity, according to the parish.
Fr. Steve Josomo, the parish pastor, confirmed the display and said the installation was meant as a pastoral response to community worries about immigration enforcement actions affecting families connected to the parish. He described the scene as intended for prayer and awareness rather than provocation.
Reported responses from the Archdiocese and ICE
The Nativity’s message drew swift reaction. Multiple local accounts report the Archdiocese of Boston asked St. Susanna to remove the display, characterizing it as inappropriate for a liturgical space and warning that it could divide parishioners along political lines.
Local reports attribute this critique to concerns about “politicizing a religious symbol” and potential division within the faithful.
Separately, local reports attribute a comment to Todd Lyons, acting director at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, saying the installation “adds to a dangerous narrative.” At the time of publication, full text of statements from the Archdiocese and ICE were not available for independent review.
What the sign said and who it listed
The sign included contact information for a Massachusetts-based group that monitors immigration enforcement and provides resources to families who believe enforcement activity has affected them. The parish described that information as a resource for people seeking help, framing the Nativity as pastoral outreach rather than a call to lawlessness.
Church, state and public space
The display sits at the intersection of religious expression and public debate. While houses of worship typically have latitude to present pastoral messages, a display that references a federal agency and active policy disputes can prompt civic and federal responses.
Critics argue such a display risks blurring worship and political advocacy, while supporters say it is a moral statement consistent with religious teachings on welcoming the vulnerable.
How parishioners reacted
Reaction among Dedham residents and St. Susanna parishioners was mixed. Some welcomed the Nativity as a faithful stand for families fearing separation; others were uncomfortable using a sacred symbol to comment on a federal agency. Several parishioners told local reporters they prefer pastoral outreach and community support over political confrontation.
Legal and practical questions
Legally, houses of worship are private entities that may choose messages displayed on their property. Still, displays referencing a federal agency can invite official responses. No law prevents symbolic displays, but diocesan intervention can occur under internal governance if actions risk division within the faithful.
Reporting limitations and verification
This account relies on Times Media Service reporting and local coverage confirming the Nativity and Fr. Josomo’s remarks. Reports that the Archdiocese sought removal and that ICE’s acting director criticized the installation were circulating locally, but full official statements from the Boston Archdiocese and ICE were not available to Times Media Service for direct citation.
Implications for Utah
Although the display is in Dedham, the episode underscores issues resonant in Utah: growth in immigrant communities, debates over cooperation with federal enforcement, and questions about whether churches should publicly comment on enforcement or limit actions to pastoral care.
Possible local effects:
- Political consequences for conservative voters and faith leaders considering the role of churches in public policy.
- Social and community tensions in Utah congregations weighing symbolic actions versus service provision.
- Cultural debates about using religious symbolism in public discourse.
Practical applications for Utah clergy and civic leaders
Utah pastors and civic leaders can consider several steps in response to the Dedham example:
- Review parish policies on public displays and political messaging to avoid confusion between pastoral care and political advocacy.
- Coordinate with diocesan or denominational leadership when planning public installations touching contentious policy issues.
- Provide clear legal and social-service resources to parishioners separate from overt political messaging.
- Encourage dialogue among congregants to prevent internal division and emphasize pastoral care.
Sources and availability of full statements
This article relied on reporting from Times Media Service confirming the Nativity scene at St. Susanna and Fr. Steve Josomo’s confirmation. Local accounts indicated the Boston Archdiocese sought removal and attributed a remark to ICE acting director Todd Lyons. Full archived statements from the Archdiocese of Boston and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were not available to Times Media Service at the time of publication.
Readers are encouraged to consult the press pages of the Boston Archdiocese and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for any formal statements or updates.
Keywords
Nativity scene Dedham ICE, St. Susanna Church immigration, empty manger protest
