A parish near Boston links ICE arrests to the birth of the Christ child, unleashing a firestorm of controversy.
I suppose NewGathering readers know that it's very common for Catholic churches to display a manger scene in church, or somewhere on the parish grounds, during the Christmas season. Our parish has two, including one in church, front and center, at the top of the sanctuary steps, during our Christmas masses. One can see parents teaching their young children to kneel before it in prayer; and it makes for a popular backdrop for families taking photos after Christmas mass.
Earlier this month, St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, MA ignited a controversy by omitting the Holy Family from its creche scene outside church. Where Mary, Joseph and baby would be, a stark sign in large block letters announces, "ICE WAS HERE". The implication is that ICE arrested the Holy Family. Below, a smaller sign states, "The Holy Family is safe in our church...if you see ICE, please call LUCE", followed by a phone number.
St. Susanna's pastor explained what it was all about:
Father Stephen Josoma said he chose to focus the nativity on immigration after speaking with several of the refugee families the church has worked with in the past few years. Several of his congregants, who come from countries like Honduras, Guatemala and Afghanistan, expressed fear about what the stepped-up deportations could mean if they were sent back to the violence they fled.
“These are folks who carry a lot of scars with them. Some of them are physical scars, but most are emotional. They’ve seen their folks killed in front of them,” Josoma said.
He said the display is meant to show “the context Christmas is happening in this year,” adding that current immigration policies feel “brutal” and threaten the status of people who have already settled in the U.S.
The Archdiocese of Boston finds the display objectionable:
The Archdiocese of Boston on Friday called the sign and missing figures a “politically divisive display” and said the parish should restore the créche to its “proper sacred purpose.”
“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 statement read.
The Archdiocese also said St. Susanna did not request or receive permission for the display and said church norms “prohibit the use of sacred objects” for purposes other than worship.
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese, Terrence Donilon, pointed WBUR to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ long-standing statements on immigration, which call for more humane treatment of migrants — especially in detention — while also recognizing a country’s right to regulate its borders. The bishops oppose mass deportation and condemn dehumanizing rhetoric toward both immigrants and law enforcement.
The Archdiocese asked Fr. Josoma to restore the creche to its traditional format, but he declined to do so.
I understand where the Archdiocese is coming from. But: it's a brilliant bit of rhetoric. And it's not purely political; it provides a contemporary context for reflecting on the poverty and precariousness of the Holy Family.
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
ReplyDeleteSo, yah, the Holy Family is disappeared every time ICE under Trump-Noem deports people for no good reason.
Clearly, the diocese feels it has done enough by issuing statements, and does not want to further rile up the majority of Catholics who voted for the current regime.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you. He who turns and runs away, lives to fight another day. There are good people on both sides. And like that.
I read the story in several places, including the America website. I plan to send a small contribution to the parish just as a token of support - not only because of the manger scene but because they refused to knuckle under to the Archdiocese. The ordinary people - including this priest - give me a little bit of hope that there are still a few in the Catholic church who seek to follow Jesus rather than MAGA. Jesus rocked the boat too. Most bishops fear acting and not just issuing mild reprimands and, based on what I read, most parish priests are afraid to say anything beyond the implied instruction to vote MAGA in their coded homilies about abortion.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting homily last Sunday from Saint Caecilia in Boston, our favorite virtual parish. The pastor was not there, he might have linked Herod directly to Trump!. The Jesuit substitute this Sunday is a priest who always writes out his homilies, and places copies of them in the back of the Church. So, they are very well thought out and delivered.
ReplyDeleteThe homily focused upon Herod in a way that anyone could read Trump into it, but nothing so specific that it could only apply to Trump. The homily enlarged the notion of Herod into all the bullies in our lives whom we cannot easily understand.
However, he asked very sympathetic questions as to what could have happened in Herod's life to cause him to behave as it did. And how could people respond to Herod in ways that might give him alternatives.
Finally, the homily opened up the question about our own ability to become a Herod.
The declaration ICE WAS HERE might lead people to believe that ICE had removed the statutes, which of course did not happen. It was clever but like all symbolic speech liable to misinterpretation. Is our concern mainly for immigrants like Jesus, Mary and Joseph or to make a political statement against ICE, Republicans, Trump, etc.?
I think the new Archbishop made a big mistake in getting involved with this in any way. He likely alienated people on all sides. If the diocese had been asked to comment, they should have referred people to the pastor.
Jack, I think you are right that the new archbishop shouldn't have gotten involved. Referring people to the pastor would have been the thing to do.
DeleteI feel that the ones who wanted to make a statement would have been better off not to put the creche scene on church property. They could have put it nearby, say across the street, with permission of the property owner. That way the PTB couldn't really say anything, since they wouldn't have had any jurisdiction.
"Is our concern mainly for immigrants like Jesus, Mary and Joseph or to make a political statement against ICE, Republicans, Trump, etc.?"
DeleteReligious messaging aside, I got the impression that the display was an attempt to startle people and get LUCE's number in front of them.
The article Jim linked to didn't explain what LUCE is. Here's their link.
https://www.lucemass.org
Trump, I think, is more akin to Nero and Caligula. When I think of the Slaughter of the Innocents, I tend to think of Netanyahu.
ReplyDeleteFwiw, I don't believe Boston's archbishop is MAGA. Probably he'd like his clergy to speak the same talking points as the bishops. And the bishops are not looking to pick fights with the federal government. They don't want to be perceived as part of The Resistance.
ReplyDeleteI guess we can argue about whether a creche should be used to protest ICE raids. But LUCE doesn't seem to be part of the resistance. It's a coalition of legal aid groups for migrants. Seems like these are the types of efforts the bishops would support? https://www.lucemass.org
DeleteIsn’t it a moral obligation of Christian’s to fight injustice?
Delete“ “There is no such thing as a nonpolitical Christianity. To refuse to critique the system or the status quo is to fully support it—which is a political act well disguised. Like Pilate, many Christians choose to wash their hands in front of the crowd and declare themselves innocent, saying with him, “It is your concern” (Matthew 27: 25). Pilate maintains his purity and Jesus pays the price. Going somewhere good means having to go through and with the bad, and being unable to hold ourselves above it or apart from it. There is no pedestal of perfect purity to stand on, and striving for it is an ego game anyway.”
― Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For and Believe
I guess Fr. Josoma, if he were back in Nazi Germany, would be considered a member of the Confessing Church. Wrapping the Christ Child in a keffiyeh was another way of expressing the deep meaning of the Christmas holy day. If you want to put Christ back in Christmas, that’s how it happens. Pow!
DeleteAll those are fair points. The church can support LUCE in many ways, such as via the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, and can even put LUCE posters on the entranceway bulletin board and make LUCE pamphlets available in the racks where pamphlets are put out. To make a LUCE sign part of the setting of a spot meant for prayer and devotion is, in the eyes of the Archdiocese, a different matter. It would be like draping a LUCE banner over the altar.
DeleteBut I suspect it is the invocation of ICE, not LUCE, that has people upset. The former could seem to some folks to be overtly partisan.
The bishops as a conference have spoken out against the treatment of immigrants, an initiative on which Archbishop Henning took the lead. I am guessing he'd want his pastors to reinforce that statement. Does "ICE WAS HERE" in a manger scene do that? Perhaps. I am supposing the bishop would like to see a degree of separation between that statement and the parish's public sacred spaces.
The creche is outside the church, so I don't see the display as anything like being dragged into the sanctuary and draped across the altar, as you suggest.
DeleteThat’s the problem with an incarnated God. Not floating above the celestial sphere where he belongs. Oh, please go back where You belong.
DeleteRaber tells me that Patrick Jordan, former ME of Commonweal, died. He was involved with the Catholic Worker newspaper, and I met him briefly when he was at St Mary's Student Parish at MSU giving a talk on Dorothy Day. A really lovely and thoughtful man.
ReplyDeleteJean -The creche is outside the church, so I don't see the display as anything like being dragged into the sanctuary and draped across the altar, as you suggest.
ReplyDeleteAgree.
I applaud the priest and the parish for drawing attention to the cruelty and injustice infolved with many (most?) ICE activities, as well as the secrecy (masks, unmarked vans), failure to provide warrants when arresting people, often dragging them violently away (failing to inform families of wherabouts), and many other abuses when arresting, The bishops kept their mouths shut during the campaigns while subtley sending messages to support trump (Dolan not so subtly) and now give mild rebukes. Trump didn't hide his plans just as he doelsn't hide his venal character, but with the exception of a few bishops in border states, the bishops stayed mum. Now they are saying things, but it's way too little and way too late.
This pastor and his parish are what Catholics should be - preaching the gospels through their actions - unafraid of the PTB, including the cowards in most Catholic chanceries. If organized religion going to church is reduced to pablum homilies and actions it's not following Jesus. Why bother to teach the gospels in words of unwilling to take the sometimes uncomfortable actions needed - those of you who claim to be "pro-life' (but only those not yet born apparently) have taken to the streets to protest for fifty years. But say almost NOTHING when it comes to the lives of those who have been born - those living in extreme poverty, the immigrants who seek safety for their families, refugees living in tents all over the world.
The display in front of the church was living the gospels, not just mouthing platitutudes.
Lots of typos - sorry, I was in a rush.
DeleteWhat if the same creche set up had no Baby Jesus, just a sign that said "abortion has been here" with a pregnancy crisis clinic number?
ReplyDeleteOr no Baby Jesus and a sign says, "artificial birth control has been here," with the NFP office number?
Or no St Joseph and a sign, "divorce has been here," and the number for Retrouvaille?
I realize these comparisons are real tiresome, and of course there are no answers. But my sense is that bishops, being human and with one eye necessarily on the bottom line, will draw lines based mostly on keeping people from getting offended and leaving (with their wallets) in a huff.
Our Catholic parishes generally have a late afternoon and/ or early evening family mass on Christmas Eve. One year there was a lot of anger in the parish at the new, young priest who gave the homily at the family Christmas Eve mass because he talked about abortion as his main theme. I wasn’t there, I only heard about it. A lot of people were in Aa “ huff” about it. The parish is among the wealthiest in the Archdiocese and that young priest was quickly transferred to a different parish, probably from fear that people would close their wallets and leave - in a huff.. So, yeah, a crèche with a sign saying “Abortion was here “ probably would not be supported by the parishioners. But ICE is acting immorally, and often illegally. The Boston parishioners apparently mostly supported the crèche with the empty manger and the sign. The bishops and priests talk a whole lot about abortion, sometimes about birth control, seldom about divorce, and not at all about the cruelty of ICE. I’m with the Boston parish and it’s rather tragic that bishops worry more about offending people with money than they care about the gospels. Jesus never mentioned abortion or birth control. He did mention divorce, probably to protect women from being forced onto the streets to survive ( women couldn’t divorce husbands, but husbands could toss out their wives). He never mentioned homosexuality either. His priorities were caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger. He often warned about the soul killing potential of money. The bishops almost seem unfamiliar with the gospels as they seem mostly concerned about money and pelvic issues.
DeleteHappy New Year, everyone. May peace and rationality prevail in 2026.
ReplyDeleteAmen, you too, praying for everyone here this morning.
DeleteThanks. May you all have a good year ahead.
DeleteJean,
ReplyDeleteI think your examples are good illustrations of my general point about the ambiguity of symbolic speech, once we begin modifying characters and adding signs to the nativity, reactions are likely to be unpredictable and maybe even contrary to the intentions of those making the modifications. Many people have a lot invested in what has been done in the nativity scene in the past. While some people may share the agenda of those making the modifications, many others may not.
The reaction of the archdiocese could have been better. As far as I can tell, the people in the parish did not violate any positive rules of the diocese, liturgical or canon law. They were just breaking with customs which if very long standing can have the force of law.
The Catholic principle of subsidiary says that a larger organization (a diocese, or parish) should generally subsidize, i.e. support the action of smaller organizations (e.g. parishes, ministries). So, in the absence of a positive rule or principle, the diocese should defer to the parish, and the pastor to those who run ministries. The assumption should be that they know what they are doing when they modify custom.
However, we now have the principle of synodality which suggests before we go making new rules at the diocesan or parish levels or modifying existing ones that we engage in a dialogue and consultation process with all stakeholders involved. That should also apply to changing customs. Did the pastor and parish ministry involved engage in much consultation? Did the diocese engage in much consultation before it reacted?
We don't always have to have answers for the media. Perhaps on many occasions it is far better to raise questions and begin discussions and consultations.
The incident would have been handled better if these principles had been invoked.
"... ambiguity of symbolic language."
DeleteAnd yet Jesus used parable, metaphor, and allegory.
The point of symbolic language is to try to arrive at a universal truth.
The Nativity is not just a history story about three people and some shepherds on tax day in Bethlehem 2026 years ago. It is about faith, vulnerability, endurance, and the hope that is born with all new lives.
So while I think your points about subsidiarity and custom/tradition above are germane and clarifying to the Dedham controversy, I think you missed the point of my examples. That is that altering the creche is going to be cast as righteous expression of Catholic doctrine or as a desecration of worship space depending mostly on whether it's going to piss off paying parishioners.
The heart of Jim's argument seems to be that the creche is a worship space and should not be defiled with political messages. I am somewhat persuaded by his argument but unable to wholeheartedly agree because I don't trust conservative clergy with MAGA- majority parishioners to apply that rule even-handedly in the examples I offered.
Jim “ The former could seem to some folks to be overtly partisan ”
DeletePartisan politics is in the parishes already based on what I read on Catholic websites and what I see in the Catholic parishes locally. Anti- choice on abortion is SOP in Catholic parishes of course, resulting in a more general bias to support MAGA. Gives folk an excuse to vote MAGA even though most MAGA policies are anti- gospel values.
In Maryland, the Catholic parishes have teams of volunteers who visit the state legislators every year on “Lobby Night” - turning parishioners into political lobbyists. (plus letter writing campaigns etc). They prepare handouts for parishioner study, and talking points for the volunteers . They lobby against abortion of course, but also against any kind of “assisted” dying ( so far I don’t think they’ve included opposition to the death penalty in their lobbying though) and for legislation that transfers tax money to Catholic schools via various mechanisms ( which I oppose), etc. Homilies reflect this and parishioners are asked to send letters or emails to their representatives. Since Maryland borders Washington DC the parishes also sometimes send volunteers the Hill to lobby folks in Congress. I’m guessing that in a state like Illinois there may be similar efforts with the state legislature.
Even pushing Barron’s stuff ( he’s openly partisan, almost as bad as Dolan) and EWTN is partisan as far as I’m concerned, and the Catholic parishes around here do both, even though in a deep blue county in a blue state. That might be one reason their congregations (at least the two parishes that we used to belong to) have shrunk by about 50% in recent years Ben though the local population has grown. Those who are progressive in their understanding of Catholicism and/or in their politics don’t feel very at home in many Catholics parishes these days.
Correction - the Catholic Church in Maryland did lobby to end the death penalty in Maryland, including during Lobby Night in 2013.
Delete