Currents News Staff
“We try to take a picture of the world as it is and put it together with a Christmas message,” said Father Stephen Josoma.
Baby Jesus in a cage, the wise men closed off by a wall. At Saint Susanna’s Parish in Dedham, this creche questions peace on earth.
“We talk about Matthew 25, feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger,” said Pat Ferrone, parishioner.
Christ representing migrant children being held at the southern border, separated from their parents. The wise men, the caravan of migrants behind the border wall. Here they believe it’s very much the message of Jesus.
“Jesus was about taking care of one another. This is not the way to take care of one another,” said Father Josoma.
The nativity scene is meant to be a symbol of hope and at St. Susanna’s, the hope is that a conversation has begun.
“We’re not trying to scandalize anyone, trying to reflect back a reality that has to be looked at,” said Ferrone.
But, not every parishioner is happy with the controversial creche.
“This is where you come to pray, this is not where you come to be preached at what you should think about politics,” said Helen Watson, resident.
Others argue that mixing church and politics is exactly what Jesus would have done.
“Christ was political, he was hung on a cross for making political statements and bucking authority and that’s exactly why he died,” said Phil Mandeville, parishioner.