Prayer Group Confronted by Authorities
Members of a Catholic prayer group were reportedly asked to leave church grounds by Dedham Police after gathering to recite the rosary near a statue of the Virgin Mary. The incident occurred on Monday when parishioners assembled on what they believed was public property across from St. Susanna's Church.
"I couldn't believe it," stated Patrick Oser, one of the participants. "They asked us to leave the island, and said it was church property." He added, "A Roman Catholic church is asking us to leave their property because we're praying the rosary... They're the one bringing all this attention on."
Parish Leadership Responds
Father Stephen Josoma, the parish pastor, explained that a church secretary contacted law enforcement without understanding the nature of the outdoor gathering. Josoma confirmed the traffic island in question belongs to the parish.
The controversy follows the church's ongoing nativity scene display featuring an "ICE WAS HERE" sign, which remains despite archdiocesan requests for its removal earlier this month. According to parish records, the demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities has generated approximately $24,000 in donations along with numerous supportive communications.
Catholic Community Divided
CJ Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, condemned the parish's actions as excessive political theater. "The hypocrisy here is stunning," Doyle remarked. "They're willing to welcome illegal aliens into the country, but having a group of faithful Catholics reciting the rosary on their property is unacceptable."
Doyle directly addressed Josoma, stating, "Stop using the parish as your personal political platform."
Dedham Police have not yet commented on the incident, while the archdiocese declined to address either the prayer group removal or the continuing nativity display.
