The controversial  "ICE was here" nativity scene at a Dedham, Massachusetts church will remain until the priest can speak with the Archbishop of Boston Richard Henning.

The display outside St. Susanna's Parish has the anti-ICE message where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph would normally be, suggesting that they were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. It was installed the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The church's priest, Father Stephen Josoma, said he was hoping to speak with Bishop Henning over the weekend to get clarity on the situation. 

"If the circus continues, we'll take it down. We don't want this to be ongoing. We are just making a statement and I think we got our message out," the church's priest Father Josoma said. "Our hope was to create dialogue around contemporary life. Some do not agree with our message, but that does not render our display sacrilegious."

The Boston Archdiocese wants it taken down, saying the display goes against church norms around sacred objects.

"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," the Archdiocese's message read in part. "The display should be removed, and the manger restored to its proper sacred purpose."

ICE Director Todd Lyons condemned the manger's message.

"On behalf of ICE and our many law enforcement professionals in Massachusetts, many of whom are practicing Catholics, and first-generation Americans, I applaud the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Boston for taking a stand against such a dangerous and extremist narrative."

"Jesus would support the parish"

However, many people in the area agree with the message Father Josoma is trying to send. 

"I think it's a mirror on society. And the people who are upset about this just can't deal with the fact that not everyone agrees with just ripping people off the streets," said Janet Holmes, who was married at the church. 

"I think the answer is Jesus would support the parish in making this political statement," one man said. 

The church's priest, Father Josoma, said the church is continuing to speak on humanitarian issues facing the country. 

It's not the first time that a church has put up a controversial display. In 2018, they put baby Jesus in a cage as a commentary on the first Trump administration's family separation policy at the U.S. border with Mexico. The year before, the church listed the names of the cities that had experienced mass shootings. 

"A sign demonizing a federal law enforcement agency is not an appropriate addition to a traditional Christmas nativity sign of the catholic parish," executive director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts CJ Doyle said. 

"I do get what they're trying to say," neighbor Michael Hersey said. "But also with everything going on and the way people act, I just think it's kind of a risky thing to put at a church."  

St. Susanna's was originally expected to decide on Monday afternoon.