New York Priest and Knight Plans Papal Skateboard Contest

The three finalists show their papal designs to Father Peter Pomposello, a member of Manresa Council 2147 in Staten Island, N.Y. (Photo courtesy Chris Sheridan)

Call him the Skateboard Priest. Since an offhand comment by a young person in his parish sparked an idea, Father Peter Pomposello has raced into the headlines with the Papal Visit Skateboard Art Design Contest, sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York.

The contest drew artistic designs from New York youth who incorporated Pope Benedict XVI’s coat of arms and the theme “Christ Our Hope” into their original artwork. The design will appear at the bottom side of the board.

Father Pomposello hopes to present the pope with the winning skateboard design during the Holy Father’s trip to New York, April 18-20. Three finalists have been selected and online voting for the best design continues until April 12 at: www.papalskateboardjudge.com.

“It would be great to be able to give the Holy Father the skateboard during the youth rally at the seminary,” he said, referring to the youth event Pope Benedict will lead on April 19 at St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers. A graduate of the seminary, Father Pomposello received financial assistance from the Knights of Columbus during his studies there and is a member of Manresa Council 2147 in Staten Island, N.Y.

Local and national newspapers and television talk shows that have featured Father Pomposello and the skateboard contest have commented on the meeting of youth culture and the elderly pope, who turns 81 during his U.S. visit, on April 16.

“It’s not about the headlines; it’s about evangelization,” said Father Pomposello, who is an assistant priest at St. Elizabeth Parish in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. “The theme of the papal trip is centered on hope, and when I talk to the media I always focus on what true hope is. We all hope for good things, but hope is too often misunderstood. Everything we hope for in this life has an end. The real hope of our lives is Christ, eternal life with God.”

In a letter to those who submitted designs, he wrote, “Your participation in this contest proves the love you have for Jesus Christ and His Church and your desire to witness to that love. The base and negative culture which at times is associated with skateboarding is simply blown away with the breath of the Holy Spirit through your artwork.”

After the original winning skateboard is presented to the pope, plans call for the design to be copied onto 1,000 skateboards which will be sold, with proceeds going to Catholic charities that benefit inner-city youth.

“That’s the long-term good we seek with this contest,” the priest said.