‘Jesus spoke up during his time’: Dedham parishioners side with pastor on ICE message in nativity scene

The Boston Archdiocese called for the removal of a message included in a Dedham parish s outdoor nativity display that church functionaries called divisive political messaging At Saint Susanna Parish in the center of the Christmas scene of wise men animals and angels a sign reads ICE WAS HERE Pastor Steve Josoma reported it was put up over a week ago in response to what he described as the poor medication of immigrants in the area Multiple parishioners agree Jesus spoke up during his time parishioner Jeannie Connerney declared He spoke truth to power for the injustices he saw and that s what Saint Susanna s is doing People have to sort of put a line in the sand another parishioner concurred The display also includes a phone number to call if people spot immigration enforcement agents in the district The archdiocese noted the display should be removed The people of God have the right to expect that when they come to church they will encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship not divisive political messaging administrators reported in a comment The church s norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of God s people Josoma revealed he believes the sign is in line with what Pope Leo XIV and the American Conference of Bishops preach on the subject In a video last month the American Conference of Bishops issued a video urging compassion for immigrants and expressing concern for the restoration of those being detained We are disturbed when we see among out people a context of fear and anxiety over questions of profiling and immigration enforcement Connerney agreed that the archdiocese s position on the matter appeared in conflict with that of higher level church representatives The pope has condemned ICE The American bishops have condemned ICE I don t know why the Archdiocese is against them