The church leaders of St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, announced Monday that a controversial nativity scene would remain until further dialogue with the Boston archdiocese.A nativity display at the church replaced Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus with a sign that read "ICE was here."The archdiocese, Archbishop Richard Henning, says the church did not request nor receive permission for the display and that the church's norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of God's people.The archdiocese released a statement last week that read in part:"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 display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose."A statement released Monday by Rev. Stephen Josoma and the parish council noted that they would be "waiting for an opportunity of dialogue and clarity with Bishop Henning before reaching any final decisions."The statement also called out President Donald Trump's administration, saying that any divisiveness caused by the display reflects American society today, "much of which originates with the changing, unjust policies and laws of the current US Administration, not emanating from a nativity display outside a church in Dedham."The Catholic Action League is hoping Henning uses his powers. "This is really a grave scandal for Catholics, and I think he's really playing with fire," said C.J. Doyle, the director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts. "The archbishop can remove him as pastor, he can suspend him from active ministry, deprive him of his ministries, he can close the parish, and he can sell the parish property right out from under him."Parishioners who NewsCenter 5 spoke to say the archdiocese is out of step with the congregation."I'm very upset about it. And I'm also upset that our church doesn't stand up for our immigrants in a stronger and more vocal and more active way," said parishioner Beth Brinkman Cianci. "And I'm here to support Father Steve because he has the courage to do just that."Some churchgoers headed into Sunday's Mass are visitors, telling NewsCenter 5 that they decided to attend Sunday's service because of the nativity sign.Avery McClain and Allexis Pillard came from Wisconsin to see the display, and Diane Marrese brought her children."Should let them know that everyone is welcome and support Father Steve," Marrese said."This is a community doing exactly what Jesus taught, exactly what Jesus taught. These are good people, and this message is important."Some disagreed with the display and felt the archdiocese's ruling was law."I'm not sure what the protocol is, but I think it's wrong if the archbishop says it's gotta go, it's gotta go, that’s all," said Steve McGowan. You can read Rev. Josoma and the parish council's entire statement below:"We believe our position and practice to be faithful to the Gospel and Catholic teaching, especially as recently put forth by the Catholic bishops of the United States, including our own Archbishop Henning, as well as Pope Leo. The Vatican itself displays different themed nativities each year, highlighting social issues to contemporary life. Some of these have also been controversial (like one focused on the plight of refugees in 2016) all moving beyond static traditional figures and designed to evoke emotion and dialogue. Our hope was to similarly evoke dialogue around an issue that is at the heart of contemporary life. That some do not agree with our message does not render our display sacrilegious or is the cause of any "scandal" to the faithful. Any divisiveness is a reflection of our polarized society, much of which originates with the changing, unjust policies and laws of the current US Administration, not emanating from a nativity display outside a church in Dedham. It is a prophetic reflection that challenges the faithful to find new paths to bring the Good News announced that first Christmas to all of God's people. We are waiting for an opportunity of dialogue and clarity with Bishop Henning before reaching any final decisions."
The church leaders of St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, announced Monday that a controversial nativity scene would remain until further dialogue with the Boston archdiocese.
A nativity display at the church replaced Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus with a sign that read "ICE was here."
The archdiocese, Archbishop Richard Henning, says the church did not request nor receive permission for the display and that the church's norms prohibit the use of sacred objects for any purpose other than the devotion of God's people.
The archdiocese released a statement last week that read in part:
"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 display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose."
A statement released Monday by Rev. Stephen Josoma and the parish council noted that they would be "waiting for an opportunity of dialogue and clarity with Bishop Henning before reaching any final decisions."
The statement also called out President Donald Trump's administration, saying that any divisiveness caused by the display reflects American society today, "much of which originates with the changing, unjust policies and laws of the current US Administration, not emanating from a nativity display outside a church in Dedham."
The Catholic Action League is hoping Henning uses his powers.
"This is really a grave scandal for Catholics, and I think he's really playing with fire," said C.J. Doyle, the director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts. "The archbishop can remove him as pastor, he can suspend him from active ministry, deprive him of his ministries, he can close the parish, and he can sell the parish property right out from under him."
Parishioners who NewsCenter 5 spoke to say the archdiocese is out of step with the congregation.
"I'm very upset about it. And I'm also upset that our church doesn't stand up for our immigrants in a stronger and more vocal and more active way," said parishioner Beth Brinkman Cianci. "And I'm here to support Father Steve because he has the courage to do just that."
Some churchgoers headed into Sunday's Mass are visitors, telling NewsCenter 5 that they decided to attend Sunday's service because of the nativity sign.
Avery McClain and Allexis Pillard came from Wisconsin to see the display, and Diane Marrese brought her children.
"Should let them know that everyone is welcome and support Father Steve," Marrese said.
"This is a community doing exactly what Jesus taught, exactly what Jesus taught. These are good people, and this message is important."
Some disagreed with the display and felt the archdiocese's ruling was law.
"I'm not sure what the protocol is, but I think it's wrong if the archbishop says it's gotta go, it's gotta go, that’s all," said Steve McGowan.
You can read Rev. Josoma and the parish council's entire statement below:
"We believe our position and practice to be faithful to the Gospel and Catholic teaching, especially as recently put forth by the Catholic bishops of the United States, including our own Archbishop Henning, as well as Pope Leo. The Vatican itself displays different themed nativities each year, highlighting social issues to contemporary life. Some of these have also been controversial (like one focused on the plight of refugees in 2016) all moving beyond static traditional figures and designed to evoke emotion and dialogue. Our hope was to similarly evoke dialogue around an issue that is at the heart of contemporary life. That some do not agree with our message does not render our display sacrilegious or is the cause of any "scandal" to the faithful. Any divisiveness is a reflection of our polarized society, much of which originates with the changing, unjust policies and laws of the current US Administration, not emanating from a nativity display outside a church in Dedham. It is a prophetic reflection that challenges the faithful to find new paths to bring the Good News announced that first Christmas to all of God's people. We are waiting for an opportunity of dialogue and clarity with Bishop Henning before reaching any final decisions."
