Catholic priest punished for letting singer film ‘provocative’ music video in church

Singer Sabrina Carpenter released the music video for her song “Feather” on Halloween, which included scenes filmed at the historic 19th Century Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.

The video shows the exterior and interior of the church, with the American pop star dancing “provocatively” on the church’s altar, donning a black tulle dress and veil with a large gold cross necklace.

The pint-sized star is surrounded by pastel coffins (one of which is labelled ‘RIP b***h’) as she sings lyrics like “Your signals are mixed; you act like a b***h” while the church’s statue of the Virgin Mary looks down from atop the altar.

Other religious paraphernalia featured in the video include an urn with “RIP” written in pearls as well as a statuette reading “good girls go to Heaven”.

In a statement, the Diocese of Brooklyn told the Catholic News Agency (CNA) that Bishop Robert Brennan was “appalled at what was filmed at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn.”

The bishop, whose maternal grandfather hailed from Co Sligo, later celebrated a Mass of Reparation, which the diocese said “restored the sanctity of this church and repaired the harm.”

Those who attended the Mass of Reparation were “visibly upset by what had been filmed inside their church,” John Quaglione, a press secretary for the diocese, told the New York Times.

Bishop Brennan also “relieved” Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, who allowed the filming of Carpenter's music video at the church, of his administrative duties over the parish, the Diocese announced, claiming he failed to follow “diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script.”

The pastor told the New York Times that he understood the music video was to involve a funeral scene, but the scenes used in the final cut were “not what was initially presented to me.”

In an apology letter posted on social media, he stated that neither he nor the parish staff were aware that “anything provocative was occurring in the church nor were we aware that faux coffins and other funeral items would be placed in the sanctuary.”

“While I take full responsibility for the erroneous decision to allow the filming, I want to assure you that I had no knowledge that such a scene would be filmed in our church.”

Speaking about being revoked of his administrative duties and position as Vicar of Development for the Diocese, he said: “Many people have expressed to me that they feel these consequences and the extent of my lack of due diligence are not equal, but I place myself at the mercy of God.

“All I ask of you is your forgiveness and prayers and that you be at my side, as I have been for you for the last 29 years of my priesthood.”