FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17,2010
 

STATEMENT OF JOSEPH ZWILLING, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Father Keith Fennessy, who continues to serve as Pastor of Saint Margaret Mary Parish on Staten Island, has written to Archbishop Timothy Dolan to say that, after careful reflection, he has changed his position on selling the parish convent, and asked that the proposed sale not proceed.
 

As pastor, Father Fennessy signed a contract, subject to certain requisite approvals, to sell the property to the Muslim American Society. In his letter, Father Fennessy expressed his thanks to the Archbishop for allowing him time to reflect whether the sale of the convent was in the best interest ofthe parish and the parishioners. Father Fennessy wrote:
 

"I have concluded that the contemplated sale would not serve the needs of the parish.

"As a result, as Pastor of Saint Margaret Mary Parish, I wish to formally withdraw my support for the sale, and request that it not take place."
 

The contents of Father Fennessy’s letter have been shared with his fellow parish trustees of Saint Margaret Mary, as well as with representatives of the Muslim American Society.
 

In the light of Father Fennessy’s letter as pastor, it is our hope that an amicable resolution can be reached between Saint Margaret Mary Parish and the Muslim American Society.
 

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