The Boston Archdiocese has condemned a Church’s controversial nativity display featuring an “ICE was here” sign in a Christmas manger scene that had Jesus, Mary and Joseph missing.
The anti-ICE nativity scene was placed outside the St. Susanna Catholic church in Dedham, Mass., a suburb outside Boston.
The display also had a sign with the contact number for a group that monitors immigration operations.
The Archdiocese of Boston blasted the display as “divisive political messaging” and called for it to be removed, saying it violated Catholic doctrine.
“The display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.
“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, the Church’s norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of God’s people,” the spokesman said.
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons slammed Josoma as an “activist reverend,” and said it could lead to assaults on ICE officers.
