A quiet suburban church on the outskirts of Boston has become the unlikely epicenter of a national debate, all because of an empty manger. This year, the traditional nativity scene at St. Susanna Parish is strikingly different – Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus are absent, replaced by a stark sign declaring, “ICE WAS HERE.”
The display isn’t intended as a festive greeting, but a pointed commentary on the escalating ICE raids gripping cities across the country. Recent government reports claim over 1,400 arrests in September alone, targeting individuals labeled “illegal criminal aliens.” The empty manger serves as a powerful visual, a silent question mark hanging over the traditional message of peace.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston swiftly ordered Reverend Stephen Josoma to remove the sign, deeming it a divisive political statement inappropriate for a house of worship. Yet, the parish has defied the order, adding another sign above the display: “Peace on earth?” – a poignant challenge to the current climate.
Beneath the initial sign, a smaller message offers a lifeline: “The Holy Family is safe in the Sanctuary of our Church. If you see ICE, please call LUCE,” referencing an immigrant advocacy group. This act of defiance transforms the nativity scene into a sanctuary, a beacon of hope for those living in fear.
The controversy arrives on the heels of a strong statement from US Catholic bishops, condemning the Trump administration’s increased ICE deployments. They expressed sorrow over the “vilification of immigrants” and raised concerns about conditions in detention centers, lamenting the arbitrary loss of legal status for many.
The display has ignited a fierce debate within the church community itself. Online, reactions are sharply divided. One member expressed outrage, calling the scene “absolutely disgusting” and accusing the church of exploiting the nativity for political gain.
Others fiercely defend the display, praising it as a courageous act of conscience. One commenter wrote, “People of good conscience cannot stand by silently when injustice is occurring all around us.” Another questioned the misplaced anger directed at an inanimate object, asking, “What would Jesus do?”
The Catholic Church’s long-held stance on immigration, as outlined in its Catechism, emphasizes a moral obligation for prosperous nations to welcome those seeking security and livelihood they cannot find at home. This principle has been consistently championed by Pope Francis, who previously declared driving away migrants a “grave sin.”
This isn’t the first time a nativity scene has sparked controversy. Last year, Pope Francis used the unveiling of St. Peter’s Basilica’s nativity to send a message of solidarity with Palestine, featuring baby Jesus lying on a manger lined with a Palestinian keffiyeh – a powerful symbol of support for the region.
The display at St. Susanna Parish isn’t simply a political statement; it’s a theological one. It forces a confrontation with the core tenets of the faith – compassion, hospitality, and the protection of the vulnerable – in the face of a harsh and divisive reality.
