The Staten Island pastor who signed off on a controversial plan to sell a former convent to the Muslim American Society has changed his mind.
The community of Midland Beach was outraged for a variety of reasons that Father Keith Fennessy of St. Margaret Mary R.C. Church, just down the street, agreed to sell a vacant convent to an Islamic group. Now, under public pressure, the father wants to pull out of the deal.
Just about anyone Fox 5 spoke to in the neighborhood is relieved that Father Fennessy has changed his mind. A heated community meeting last week had something to do with it.
The community said it was never notified that Father Fennessy had agreed to sell the property to the Muslim American Society to turn in to a mosque.
In addition, the lightening rod in the controversy is a man named Mahdi Bray, the national executive director of the MAS. A video from 2000 shows him cheering at a public event when someone asks who supports the terrorist group Hamas.
In a letter to Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Father Fennessy wrote: “I have concluded that the contemplated sale would not serve the needs of the parish. As a result I wish to formally withdraw my support for the sale, and request that it not take place.”
Archdiocese of New York spokesman Joseph Zwilling said the parish trustees and a MAS attorney were informed of the letter on Thursday.
But Zwilling said the pastor alone did not have the power to veto the sale. The sale was not final until all approvals were met.
Father Fennessy also wrote in a newsletter to the community that he has asked to be reassigned.
Parishioners and community members told Fox 5 that the father is no longer welcome here.