New England church nativity scene shows baby Jesus in cage
Scene depicts current immigration issues in US
Scene depicts current immigration issues in US
Scene depicts current immigration issues in US
St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, Massachusetts, is stirring things up again this Christmas season.
The Nativity scene at the church depicts current immigration issues in the United States.
The statue of baby Jesus sits in a black metal cage, separated from his parents, which is a reference to the treatment of immigrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border.
"It doesn't seem to be the message of the person whose birth we celebrate," said Fr. Joseph Josoma.
Just to the side, the three wise men are separated from the rest of the scene by a metal barrier, a border wall.
"The refugee problem, it's all over the world," said parishioner Pat Ferrone. "The number is 65 million people, either internally displaced or in refugee camps."
The church does not shy away from controversial subjects. Last year's Nativity scene depicted some of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.
Above the display is a banner that reads "Peace on Earth?," which Josoma says gives it a whole new meaning.
"Is this peace on Earth?," Josoma said. "Is this what it would look like?"
"We may not have the solutions, but we can at least draw attention to the problems and then maybe work through things," Ferrone said.
Not every parishioner is happy with the Nativity scene. One woman said she does not like mixing politics into the scene.
Josoma said it is really about humanitarianism and that the church is trying to live up to its own message.
St. Susanna's is sponsoring a refugee family from Burundi.