The archbishop of Boston will meet in January with the priest of a Roman Catholic church in Dedham to discuss the church’s Nativity scene that had been designed to criticize U.S. immigration policies.
The scene in front of St. Susanna Parish features a sign reading “ICE was here” placed in the spot usually occupied by Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the middle of the manger.
Below the message is a smaller sign that reads “The Holy Family is safe in our Church … If you see ICE please call LUCE at 617-370-5023,” referring to an immigrant advocacy organization.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning was critical of the political nature of the display, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons called for its removal earlier this month.
Henning will meet in January with the Rev. Stephen Josoma of St. Susanna Parish to discuss the Nativity scene, Terry Donilon, a spokesperson for the archdiocese, told MassLive.
Donilon said Henning and Josoma talked by phone on Christmas Eve, but did not provide any details about the conversation.
An exact date for their January meeting has not been set, Donilon said.
“My first thing will be just to hear him out and listen,” Henning told the Boston Globe on Wednesday. “He was the one that asked to speak with me. I’d like to hear him first.”
Josoma has defended the display, telling reporters at a press conference on Dec. 8 that he would not remove the scene until he had a meeting with Henning.
During the press conference, a small group of St. Susanna parishioners gathered in front of the scene to defend Josoma.
“The word is out there [about] who we are,” parishioner Rich Donovan said. “Our sign says all are welcome. So there are people who are going to start coming here because of what’s been going on.”
