NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to film 'Feather' music video in church has been stripped of duties
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was relieved of his role after an investigation uncovered evidence of mismanagement, per the Associated Press.
The New York City priest who gave Sabrina Carpenter the greenlight to film her "Feather" music video inside his church has been stripped of his duties.
On Monday, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was relieved of "any pastoral oversight or governance role” at the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn. This latest development comes a year after Gigantiello was disciplined for allowing the provocative video to be filmed, sparking an investigation in which church officials uncovered other evidence of mismanagement.
Per the Associated Press, the investigation revealed that Gigantiello made unauthorized financial transfers to a former top aide in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which is in the midst of being investigated for corruption.
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Sabrina Carpenter in her video for 'Feather'In a statement to the outlet, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan said, “I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish. In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish.”
The investigation dates back to last October, when Carpenter released a risqué and bloody video for "Feather," the hit single off her album, Emails I Can't Send. The video — which climaxes with scenes shot inside the Brooklyn church — sees Carpenter sing about feeling "light as a feather" after witnessing and orchestrating the death of several men who catcalled and harassed her.
By the end of the video, the Disney Channel alum is dancing around the church's altar and pews in a revealing black tulle dress, whilst surrounded by pastel coffins of the perished men.
The video swiftly incited controversy, and an "appalled" response from Brennan. "The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script,” according to a statement from the Diocese of Brooklyn, adding that he “is taking this matter seriously and will be looking into it further.”
Carpenter later addressed the controversy, maintaining that she received approval in advance and quipping, "Jesus was a carpenter." She even wore an oversized t-shirt featuring the same quote during her 2024 performance at Coachella.
Monsignor Gigantiello previously apologized for the oversight and in a letter to parishioners, claimed that he and his team were not aware of the "provocative" nature of the video, adding that he believed most of the video would be filmed outside of the church.
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In the immediate aftermath, Gigantiello’s administrative powers were taken away. As the priest has now also been cut from his pastoral duties, Mroziewski has “complete authority over the parish,” including on liturgical matters. Gigantiello will still be able to say Mass with Mroziewski’s approval, diocese spokesperson Adriana Rodrigue told AP News.
