Controversy at St. Susanna Parish: The "ICE was here" Nativity Scene Debate
A call has been made by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and the Archdiocese of Boston to remove an "ICE was here" sign that was placed at a Nativity scene in a Massachusetts church. The sign was deemed abhorrent by Lyons, who stated that it contributes to a dangerous narrative that has led to a significant increase in assaults on ICE officers.
The Nativity scene at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham features an empty manger with the controversial sign "ICE was here" and contact information for an immigration enforcement monitoring group in Massachusetts. Rev. Stephen Josoma, the pastor at St. Susanna, explained that the church's peace and justice group organizes the display annually to reflect on what challenges Christ might face in today's world.
Josoma considers the Nativity scene as a form of religious art designed to evoke strong emotions and provoke introspection in viewers. Lyons criticized Josoma for using his position to promote his activist agenda and commended the Archdiocese of Boston for condemning the political nature of the display.
The Archdiocese's Secretary for Communications and Public Affairs, Terrence Donilon, described the sign as divisive political messaging and called for its removal. He emphasized that the church's norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for purposes other than the devotion of God's people.
Josoma has a history of using controversial Nativity scenes to address various social issues, including gun control, climate change, and immigration policies. Similar displays criticizing ICE and highlighting immigration concerns have been seen in other churches across the country, such as in Illinois, where a church depicted baby Jesus with his hands zip-tied and Joseph and Mary wearing gas masks to draw parallels between the Holy Family's refugee experience and modern immigration practices.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the "ICE was here" sign at the Nativity scene in St. Susanna Parish has sparked debate over the appropriate use of religious symbols for political messaging and the role of churches in addressing social issues. The clash between activism and religious tradition highlights the complex intersection of faith, advocacy, and public discourse.