New in PJ Media:
For the left, everything is political, and those aspects of life that aren’t obviously political can and must be politicized. The Rev. Stephen Josoma of Saint Susanna Roman Catholic Church in Dedham, Mass. knows this quite well. For years, he has used his parish as a sounding board for his far-left views, and this Christmas season is no different: he has turned his parish’s Nativity scene into a large denunciation of ICE.
Saint Susanna’s looks to be the parish of choice for Roman Catholics who like their Christianity with a strong dose of Marxism added in. The latest parish bulletin touts “A National Call for Moral Revival,” which “challenges the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality of religious nationalism.”
The bulletin also includes a quotation from “the Jesuit Alfred Delp who was executed by the Nazis,” and who warns that “we run the risk of concealing Christmas behind bourgeois customs and sentimentality, behind all those traditions that make this holiday dear and precious to us.” Whatever Delp may have meant by this, for the modern-day leftist Roman Catholics at Saint Susanna’s, it clearly means to cut out the Christmas cheer and focus on improving the lot of the oppressed victims of racism, classism, xenophobia, and “Islamophobia.” Gotta guard against those bourgeois customs, after all.
When it comes to guarding against bourgeois customs, Fr. Josoma is happy to oblige, as he has turned Christmas into a platform for leftist causes for years now. Boston’s WCVB noted Saturday that the right-thinking padre has “used the Nativity scene to address climate change, gun control, and even put Baby Jesus in a cage separated from his parents in 2018 during Trump’s first presidency.”
Clever! Hard-hitting! This year, the crusading leftist priest is at it again. The Nativity scene features a large sign reading “ICE WAS HERE” and no statues of Jesus, Mary or Joseph (Jesus isn’t supposed to be put into the Nativity scene until Dec. 25 anyway). The sign also says: “The Holy Family is safe in our Church … If you see ICE please call LUCE at 617-xxx-xxxx.”
Then there is this message in the parish bulletin: “If you see ICE (there have been incidents in Dedham!) please call the hotline at (617)-xxx-xxxx. Simply state what you see and where. The operator will gather the information and alert others to assist.” (Both signs gave out a real phone number, but I’ve x’d it out, as unlike Fr. Josoma, I don’t want to get involved in any criminal activity.)
There is more. Read the rest here.
WPM says
I think the “good” priest should be called on the carpet by the Cardinal or Bishop in charge of his area .He should be told he is being transfer to somewhere in the world overseas where he could be more useful in spreading the good news .Maybe there is a spot for him closer to where Christ was born ? With the current Pope hugging Moslem Iman’s who call for killing Christians and Jews in Friday night sermons .With thousand of African Christians being killed by jihadist in Africa because they are Christian without a word of support from this Pope nothing will happen. Comparing deportation thru legal process by American authorities to Nazis who murder millions is over the top.
Koshs Shadow says
From a Fox News article on the Archdiocese of Boston’s response:
The archdiocese’s secretary for communications and public affairs, Terrence Donilon, told Fox News Digital in a statement that the sign was “divisive political messaging,” and called for its removal.
“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,” he wrote.
Now, will they do anything about it?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I’m now getting to what used to be a Liberal position: separation of Church and State. I recall Ralph Reed once saying that he didn’t want the state interfering in the church, but seeing churches like this, I certainly don’t want them to be in any position to influence public policy
somehistory says
ICE told him to take down the sign. Perhaps a reason could be found to say the *priest* has run afoul of the law; aiding and abetting those who are here illegally, many of whom have committed other crimes, is illegal. He’s attempting to do that with the phone number and messaging.
perhaps he is not a born in the U.S. citizen.
Jesus was asked by some to help those Jews who wanted Rome out of their lives. He responded, “My Kingdom is no part of this world.” Jesus did not get involved in the politics then, and gave an example for those who wish to follow Him wherever He goes.
Perhaps this *priest* could do some Bible study and find out what the job of a shepherd is.
Koshs Shadow says
This is also a stupid historical inaccuracy. Joseph and Mary were JEWS in their native land.
Equating those who are in the US illegally makes a mockery of the Christmas story.
But then this priest probably thinks Jesus was a “Palestinian”
Priests used to be quite well educated, like one who was a fellow physics student in college. We could have good conversations with him,. Today, the Catholic Church has gone woke, it seems.
somehistory says
Not just “Jews in their native land,” but obeying the *Law* to go to the city of their *birth* for the taking of a census.
They were as far from breaking laws as any people could get. Nothing like the illegals being rounded up for deportation in the U.S. because they are ‘breaking laws.’
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Either that, or this priest thought that Palestine actually belonged to the Romans, and that Jews had no business being there
GE says
+💯 to all the above comments—you all put it so well I can’t think of anything to add.
somehistory says
Thank you, GE.
James Lincoln says
Churches in the U.S. are generally tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3):
As long as they are not engaging in political “campaigning”.
I’m not a tax attorney, but it seems like this church should be investigated…
somehistory says
James, there is an old legal saying, “Ignorance is no excuse.” They are not tax attorneys, either, I’m guessing. But they are supposed to know the Law regarding filing for tax-exempt statue.
The clergy is not allowed to preach politics from their pulpits and stay exempt. This is very similar.
James Lincoln says
I agree, and thanks for your reply somehistory.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
James
In the past, I have seen churches politically endorse candidates, usually GOP ones, and Dems bring up their 501(c)(3) status. It would definitely apply on this one, it would seem. Like you, IANAL
Andrew Blackadder says
It almost seems as if Priests like this moron are big fans of Monty Python as ya gotta laugh at their stupid silliness..
gravenimage says
Woke Priest Uses His Church’s Nativity Scene to Mock and Defy ICE
……………………………………
Ah–the true meaning of Christmas… sarc/off