“ICE Was Here” Nativity at St. Susanna Sparks Boston Archdiocese Demand — Questions Remain About Official ICE Response
A Nativity at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, displayed an empty manger and a sign reading “ICE WAS HERE,” prompting the Archdiocese of Boston to demand its removal amid debate over religious displays and immigration activism.
Key takeaways
- What happened: St. Susanna installed a Nativity with an empty manger and a sign reading “ICE WAS HERE”, plus a second placard urging people to call LUCE. Sources: Patch, CBS Boston, Getty Images.
- Clergy and archdiocesan clash: Rev. Stephen Josoma installed the display as an activist statement; the Archdiocese demanded removal, calling it politically divisive. (Sources: Patch, CBS Boston.)
- ICE comment absence: Local reporting does not include an on-the-record statement from Boston ICE field director Todd Lyons about this display; attributions of a specific quote to Lyons are unconfirmed. (Sources: Patch, CBS Boston.)
What happened
The Nativity outside St. Susanna Parish in Dedham replaced the Holy Family with an empty manger and a prominent sign reading “ICE WAS HERE.” A second sign instructed witnesses to contact LUCE at 617-370-5023 if they observed Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Reporting and visuals documenting the scene are available from local outlets and photo agencies, including Patch, CBS Boston, and Getty Images.
Who set it up
The display was planned and installed by Rev. Stephen (Steven) Josoma, the priest at St. Susanna. Josoma told reporters the intent was to draw attention to people “in dire need” and to provoke reflection on how Christians treat the vulnerable. Local reporting and video coverage include interviews with the priest: see Patch, CBS Boston, and a parish video segment hosted on YouTube.
Church authority response
The Archdiocese of Boston issued a public statement demanding the display be removed, arguing Catholics have a right to worship free of divisive political messaging and that sacred figures like the Christ Child should not be used for political statements. Coverage of the Archdiocese’s demand is reported by CBS Boston/WBZ.
What the display shows and why it drew criticism
The imagery deliberately links the Nativity to modern immigration enforcement: an empty manger suggests separation or detention, while the “ICE WAS HERE” sign and LUCE contact information turn the scene into an explicit call to action. Critics say the use of a sacred tableau for political commentary is disrespectful; supporters call it prophetic and necessary. Visual documentation includes local TV footage and a Getty photograph: Getty Images and station segments on CBS Boston.
The Archdiocese’s demand for removal
In its statement, the Archdiocese emphasized parishioners’ expectation of encountering “genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship — not divisive political messaging,” and cited church norms about the proper use of sacred figures. Because St. Susanna did not seek permission to depart from those norms, the Archdiocese said the manger should be restored. (See coverage by CBS Boston/WBZ.)
Parish perspective and pattern of activism
Father Josoma framed the Nativity as a tool to highlight humanitarian issues; he said the parish regularly uses its Christmas display to raise awareness. He also planned to discuss the display at a parish meeting. St. Susanna has a history of activist-themed Nativity scenes: in 2017 a display referenced cities affected by mass shootings, and in 2018 baby Jesus was placed in a cage with the Magi behind a wall to protest family separation policies — episodes that drew national attention and conservative backlash. (Coverage: CBS Boston.)
Local reaction: parishioners, neighbors and activists
Online responses on St. Susanna’s Facebook page were reported as largely supportive. On-camera interviews captured a mix of views: some agreed with the sentiment but questioned the venue; others called the display disrespectful. The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts publicly labeled the scene “divisive” and “disrespectful,” accusing Father Josoma of staging political stunts. Sources include Patch, CBS Boston, and broadcast segments on YouTube.
About LUCE and the immigration angle
The sign’s second message — “If you see I.C.E. Please Call LUCE” — included a phone number and identified LUCE as a coalition of immigrant-led grassroots organizations that monitor immigration enforcement. The placard turned the display into an actionable notice for witnesses to report enforcement activity. (Source: Patch.)
On-the-record ICE statements
Patch and CBS Boston coverage focus on the parish, the Archdiocese, and local critics and supporters. Those reports do not include an on-the-record comment from Boston ICE field director Todd Lyons about this specific Nativity. While Todd M. Lyons is identified in other contexts as an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations official, no published local article cited here documents him saying the display “adds to a dangerous narrative.” Reporters and readers should treat such attributions as unconfirmed without a direct source. (Sources: Patch, CBS Boston, WBZ video.)
Visual record and coverage
A Getty Images photograph dated Dec. 3 shows the St. Susanna scene with the “ICE WAS HERE” sign. Local TV stations, including WBZ/CBS Boston and WPRI, ran video segments that expanded the story beyond Dedham. Visuals include news photos and broadcast interviews that documented both the display and local reaction. See Getty Images, CBS Boston, and station video on YouTube.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
This Dedham dispute signals several local considerations for Huntington Beach:
- Religious norms and local churches: Pastors may have to choose between traditional devotional displays and using religious symbols to highlight social or political issues — a choice that can shape attendance and donor support.
- Political messaging and community tension: A politically themed Nativity could inflame divisions, spark protests or prompt calls for diocesan oversight in Huntington Beach’s politically engaged environment.
- Impact on local elections: Immigration imagery can be repurposed in campaign messaging by candidates on either side of the debate.
- Social services and immigrant communities: Activist displays that include calls to action may increase referrals to local nonprofits, affecting service planning for shelters and legal clinics.
- Practical effects: Conservative parishioners may pressure diocesan leaders for clearer display guidelines; social-justice congregations could mobilize volunteers and donors.
Reporting notes and next steps
The Archdiocese’s demand for removal is documented in local reporting. Photographs and video confirm the display’s look and messaging. Crucially, no authoritative on-the-record statement from ICE Boston field director Todd Lyons about this Nativity appears in the cited coverage. Readers and reporters should consult primary links for raw footage, the Archdiocese statement, and on-scene video. Sources cited throughout include Patch, CBS Boston/WBZ, Getty Images, and on-scene video on YouTube.
Reporting by Times Media Service
