New York priest changes mind, won’t sell convent for use as mosque
July 27, 2010
Following heated controversy, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York will not sell an unused parish convent to the Muslim American Society for use as a mosque.
Father Keith Fennessy had signed a contract in June agreeing to the sale of the convent for $750,000. Following intense opposition at a neighborhood forum, Father Fennessy wrote, “I wish to formally withdraw my support for the sale and request that it not take place.”
In a July 22 vote, the parish’s board of trustees-- one of whose members is Archbishop Timothy Dolan-- voted to support the priest’s withdrawal of the offer. The Muslim American Society said it would look elsewhere on Staten Island for property.
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Further information:
- Church Rejects Sale of Building for a Mosque (New York Times)
- Staten Island Church Reconsiders Deal to Sell Vacant Convent for Use as a Mosque (New York Times)
- Fr. Keith Fennessy – Pastor, St. Margaret Mary Parish (Archdiocese of New York)
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