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Archdiocese Responds to Mass. Church's 'ICE Was Here' Nativity Display
The Archdiocese says sacred images must not convey political messages and demands removal of the display that replaced nativity figures with an immigration message.
- On Friday, the Archdiocese of Boston called on St. Susanna Parish, Dedham, Massachusetts, to remove the nativity display showing a sign reading ICE WAS HERE and restore the manger to its sacred purpose.
- Because the parish lacked permission, the Archdiocese of Boston ordered removal, stating St. Susanna Parish neither requested nor received approval to depart from norms that reserve Christ Child images for devotion.
- Over the past decade, Rev. Stephen Josoma, priest at St. Susanna Parish, Dedham, Massachusetts, used the Nativity creche to address issues like immigration, stating `What is the objective by doing this? To help people recognize the plight of people who are really in dire need, and how are we treating them` in a Tuesday interview.
- The display prompted criticism from parishioners and advocacy groups, while C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, called it divisive and disrespectful, and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons linked such stunts to a more than 1,150% rise in assaults on ICE officers.
- As of the timing of this report, the parish has not commented and requests from The Herald went unanswered, while Patrick Walsh, of Quincy, joined critics of the display.
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right7Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Right
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources lean Right
70% Right
C 30%
R 70%
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