“ICE Was Here” Nativity at St. Susanna in Dedham Sparks Rebuke From ICE Acting Director and Archdiocese
A Nativity at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham removed statues of the Holy Family and placed a sign reading “ICE was here” in the manger, sparking rebukes from ICE’s Boston acting director and the Archdiocese of Boston.
- Outdoor crèche replaced the Holy Family with a sign reading “ICE was here”; a smaller notice directs people to call LUCE at 617-370-5023.
- The Archdiocese called the display politically divisive and asked the parish to restore the crèche’s sacred purpose.
- ICE’s acting Boston director, Todd Lyons, said the imagery fuels a “dangerous narrative” that demonizes law enforcement.
- St. Susanna’s pastor, Fr. Stephen Josoma, said the choice followed conversations with refugee and immigrant families and the parish intends to keep the display.
What’s on display at St. Susanna
The outdoor Nativity at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham has omitted the usual statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and placed a large, cardboard-style sign in the manger that reads “ICE was here.” Beneath that the display includes text that says, in part, “The Holy Family is safe in our Church … If you see ICE please call LUCE at 617-370-5023.” The parish describes LUCE as a local immigrant support and monitoring group.
For background and reporting on the display, see the WBUR report.
Pastoral intent and parish explanation
Fr. Stephen Josoma told parishioners the change was a pastoral decision after conversations with refugee and immigrant families from countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and Afghanistan. He said those families described deep fear of deportation to violence, and that the scene was meant to make visible “the context Christmas is happening in this year.”
“The display is meant to show the real hurts parishioners are carrying,” Fr. Josoma said, framing the scene as faith-driven advocacy rather than political spectacle.
See coverage and statements in the WBUR report.
Archdiocese response and church norms
The Archdiocese of Boston issued a statement urging St. Susanna to restore the crèche to a traditional devotional form. The archdiocese called the altered Nativity “a politically divisive display” and said people who come to church should “encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship — not divisive political messaging.”
The statement noted the parish did not seek permission and referenced church norms that generally prohibit using sacred objects for non-worship purposes. The Archdiocese also reaffirmed Catholic teaching that upholds the dignity of migrants while cautioning against turning devotional displays into explicit political protest.
Full statements and context are available in WBUR’s coverage.
ICE’s reaction and concerns about a “dangerous narrative”
Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, criticized the display, saying the suggestion that ICE agents took the Holy Family “adds to a dangerous narrative” that demonizes federal officers and misrepresents their role enforcing immigration law.
ICE officials warned the imagery could erode trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, potentially making victims and witnesses less likely to cooperate with investigations. They also expressed concern that depictions casting officers as persecutors could inflame tensions and expose agents to harassment.
ICE urged faith leaders toward constructive dialogue rather than symbolic actions that stigmatize enforcement. See related statements in the WBUR report.
St. Susanna’s activist tradition
St. Susanna has a history of using the Nativity to highlight contemporary moral and political issues. Prior displays addressed gun violence, climate change and, in 2018, family separation at the U.S.–Mexico border (a baby Jesus figure was shown in a small cage). That history frames the current display as part of a longstanding practice of making the crèche a site of political and moral witness.
Conservative Catholic groups have sharply criticized the approach; the Catholic Action League’s C.J. Doyle called the display “sacrilegious” and accused Fr. Josoma of politicizing Christmas. The Archdiocese echoed concerns about preserving sacred space for worship.
See historical examples and critique in WBUR’s coverage.
Voices from immigrant parishioners
Parish leaders say the scene reflects the voices of immigrants in their pews, describing fears of deportation and trauma from violence. For many, the Holy Family’s flight resonates with their own experiences of seeking refuge. St. Susanna leaders emphasize the scene as faith-driven advocacy, not an attack on the faith or on lawful migration.
Firsthand concerns from families are detailed in contemporary reporting; see the WBUR report.
Legal and ethical tensions
The dispute sits at the intersection of pastoral care, free expression and church governance. The parish frames its action as moral witness; the Archdiocese defends norms around worship spaces; ICE emphasizes public safety and law enforcement trust. Each side weighs distinct obligations — advocacy and welcome, institutional norms, and public safety.
Commentary and legal context are summarized in reporting available from WBUR.
Implications for The Inland Empire
- Economic impact: Local economies that depend on immigrant labor could feel ripple effects if rhetoric polarizes public opinion, impacting labor availability and demand for legal and social services.
- Political consequences: High-profile religious-immigration clashes can mobilize faith leaders and voters in swing regions, pressuring local officials to clarify positions on cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
- Social effects: The display could deepen divisions within parishes that have active immigrant ministries and could increase fear among undocumented residents about reporting crime or participating in programs.
- Cultural relevance: The theological parallel between the Holy Family’s flight and modern migrants will resonate in many congregations, while others will echo the Archdiocese’s call to preserve devotional focus.
- Practical applications: Local leaders may use the Dedham case to review guidelines for public religious displays and open forums for dialogue among churches, social services and law enforcement.
Reporting
Reporting for this story relied on public coverage and statements by the Archdiocese, parish leaders and ICE, as reported by WBUR.
