If you ever needed proof that some churches have traded in their Bibles for bullhorns, look no further than Saint Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts. This Catholic church decided that Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, was the perfect time to stage a progressive political protest. Move over Silent Night, here comes “ICE Was Here.”
Their Nativity display features an empty manger scene with a big ol’ sign suggesting the Holy Family got hauled off by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Because nothing says “peace on Earth” like pretending the Virgin Mary got zip-tied by border agents. And just to make sure the message hit home, they even included a hotline number where you can report an ICE agent. Because nothing says Christian charity like snitching on federal law enforcement doing their job.
But wait, it gets better. This isn’t Saint Susanna’s first rodeo. Back in 2018, these folks put baby Jesus in a cage and threw up a wall between the wise men and the manger. Because apparently the Gospel of Luke now includes footnotes from MSNBC. The pastor, Father Stephen Josoma, called it “gospel activism.” Which, translated from woke-speak, means “we’re hijacking a religious scene to score political points.”
Father Josoma is now digging in his sandals, refusing to comply with an order from the Archdiocese of Boston to take the display down. Archbishop Richard Henning and the Archdiocese, to their credit, are trying to restore some level of faith-based sanity. They reminded everyone that sacred objects are supposed to be for, you know, sacred things. You go to church to pray, not to be guilt-tripped into voting Democrat.
In a statement, the Archdiocese said, “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.” And let’s be clear, this isn’t about silencing a message. It’s about preserving the sanctity of religious symbols from being turned into props for progressive tantrums.
But of course, the Left isn’t having it. Parishioner Jeannie Connerney cried foul, saying, “The pope has condemned ICE. The American bishops have condemned ICE. I don’t know why the Archdiocese is against them.” Well, Jeannie, maybe because turning Jesus into a political pawn at Christmas is a bit much, even for a church trying to stay relevant in the age of TikTok theology.
And this isn’t just some local fluke. Over in Illinois, another church got in on the act, zip-tying baby Jesus and turning Roman centurions into ICE agents. Fun fact: there’s zero mention of border patrol in Bethlehem in any gospel. These people are making up fan fiction and calling it scripture.
Here’s the bigger picture: this is what happens when the Left infiltrates every institution, even the pulpit. They twist sacred traditions into stage plays for their political drama. The Nativity isn’t a protest. It’s a proclamation of hope, faith, and salvation. But for the modern Left, everything is a platform for grievance and outrage. Even the birth of Christ.
Thankfully, the Archdiocese is stepping in with a little old-fashioned accountability. Now let’s hope they stand firm and remind the faithful that the church is not a campaign rally for open borders. It’s a place to worship God, not to worship at the altar of progressive politics.
Maybe next year, Saint Susanna can just stick to the basics: Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and a little dignity. Is that too much to ask?