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Boston Archbishop to Meet Dedham Priest in January Over 'ICE Was Here' Nativity

The display remains in place following an archdiocesan rebuke for turning sacred imagery into political messaging.

Overview

  • Archbishop Richard Henning confirmed he will meet Rev. Stephen Josoma in January, after the two spoke by phone to set up the discussion.
  • Rev. Josoma says the installation will stay up until their conversation, featuring an 'ICE was here' sign in place of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
  • The Archdiocese of Boston has called for the scene’s removal, citing church norms that restrict sacred objects to devotional use and labeling the tableau divisive.
  • Federal officials denounced the display, with DHS calling it offensive to Christians and ICE Director Todd Lyons describing it as abhorrent and dangerous.
  • Parishioners are split over the message, and St. Susanna’s has a history of protest nativity scenes, including a 2018 display that placed the Christ child in a cage.