Massachusetts priest says 'ICE was here' nativity scene will stay up pending conversation with Archbishop

Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Dec 8, 2025

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BOSTON — A nativity scene in Dedham with the message “ICE was here” in front of the missing Holy Family will remain up pending a conversation with Archbishop Richard Henning, a local priest said Monday, despite the Archdiocese of Boston’s statement against the display over the weekend.

“That some do not agree with our message does not render our display sacrilegious or is the cause of any ‘scandal’ to the faithful,” said the Rev. Stephen Josoma, pastor at the St. Susanna Parish in Dedham. “Any divisiveness is a reflection of our polarized society, much of which originates with the changing unjust policies and laws of the current U.S. administration — not emanating from a nativity display outside a church in Dedham.”

St. Susanna Parish became a center of national attention after constructing a nativity display for the holiday season with the figures of Mary, Joseph and Jesus missing, along with a sign reading “ICE was here.”

A sign below goes on to say, “The Holy Family is safe in our Church. If you see ICE please call LUCE at 617-370-5023,” referring to an immigrant resource organization.

The Archdiocese of Boston released a statement calling for the removal of the display Friday, calling the decision a departure from “canonical norm” and “a politically divisive display.”

Josoma said Monday the church is “waiting for an opportunity of dialogue and clarity with Bishop Henning before reaching any final decisions,” noting they have not had a direct conversation with the archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Boston spokesperson declined to comment on the church’s statement Monday.

“We believe our position and practice to be faithful to the Gospel and Catholic teaching, especially as recently put forth by the Catholic bishops of the United States, including our own Archbishop Henning,” Josoma said.

However, Josoma indicated the display may come down in response to the controversy regardless.

“If the circus continues…. or anything like that, we’ll take it down,” Josoma said. “We don’t want this to be ongoing. We’re just making a statement. I think we got our message out.”

The display is the latest is a series of nativity scenes at the Dedham church related to current political, environmental and other issues over the last several years, including the 2018 scene in which the baby Jesus was locked in a cage to comment on the Trump administration’s separation of immigrant children and parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Dedham priest said Monday the “Vatican itself displays different themed nativities each year highlighting social issues to contemporary life,” citing the 2016 nativity focusing on the plight of refugees.

“Our hope was to similarly evoke dialogue around an issue that is at the heart of contemporary life,” Josoma said.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons also spoke against the Dedham display in the last week, calling the decision “abhorrent.”

Several parishioners spoke in support of the church and display Monday. Regular attendee Phil Mandeville said Rev. Josoma has “has received applause at every mass this weekend,” along with support over the phone and online.

“This parish works an awful lot with immigrants,” said Mandeville, citing immigrant parishioners’ stories. … “It’s innocent people being persecuted, and it’s people that can’t speak for themselves. So we feel compelled that we have to speak.”

Parishioner Rich Donovan said he’s seen new faces at mass over the weekend.

“The word is out there, who we are, it’s always been out there, and how welcoming we are,” Donovan said. “Our sign says all are welcome.”

Boston Archbishop Henning was one of several bishops to craft a rare special message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on the current state of the country’s immigration policies in November, opposing the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people.”

The USCCB message expressed concern about the “climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement,” “vilification of immigrants,” “conditions in detention centers,” “parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school” and more issues.

“To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer,” the USCCB statement reads.

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