Published on November 30, 2023, 1:23 am

A prominent Catholic priest has been dismissed from his administrative roles, stemming from his decision to permit pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter to utilize a historic 160-year-old Brooklyn church as the filming location for her controversial music video, “Feather.”

In response to the ensuing outcry, the priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation in Williamsburg, Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello, issued an apology to the Bishop, the Diocese and parishioners for the spectacle created by the video – a display he himself referred to as a “shameful representation”. He went on to emphatically renounce any endorsement of it.

The cleric also disclosed that he had been removed from his capacity overseeing administrative affairs at this ancient house of worship by his superiors. This ignominious end concluded his tenure as Vicar for Development of the Diocese spanning an impressive 15 years – officially coming into effect on November 3rd, 2023.

Gigantiello shared insights with The New York Times concerning how things unfolded behind-the-scenes leading up to this highly publicized scandal. According to him, he initially granted approval believing it was posing an opportunity to fortify relationships with upcoming artists who form a substantial segment of their local community—a stark contrast with what eventually transpired in crafting Carpenter’s explicit video.

The actual content elicited shock and disappointment due to its suggestive nature set within sacred premises. The music video features former Disney actress Carpenter friskily dancing atop the holy altar while crooning lyrics dealing with past romantic entanglements. Her performances seemingly tease sterility against traditions—navigated ceremoniously down the serving aisle in risqué black attire (a short dress coupled with a matching veil).

Further contentious elements incorporated include pastel-hued coffins adorned with crosses nestled amidst candelabras, garlands and small sculpted angels — even employing an RIP sign within provocative dark liquid that held double meaning. One unsettling caption etched across a coffin was an irreverent “RIP b***h”, provoking further unease amongst traditionalists.

Additional contentious segments included scenes of Carpenter disposing of a malevolent character and violent altercations being fought out over her, perpetrating valorization of violence in sacred rooms.

Indeed, following these shocking exhibits surfacing via the music video’s release, The Diocese of Brooklyn issued a sharp rebuke via a statement dated November 2nd. Here, Bishop Robert Brennan expressed his disgust at the misuse of the hallowed grounds associated with the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn.

The religious body also underscored that policies had been bypassed for permitting filming on Church compounds — which ordinarily involves stringent reviews of scripts alongside planned scenes. Moreover, they castigated violations by alleging that the production company behind Carpenter’s provocative project failed to provide an accurate representation of video content before commencing their work.

For anyone vested in adhering to Christian worldview norms, such instances underscore breaches against sanctity rules surrounding ecclesiastical structures. Further underlining this point is the principle related to houses of worship within Catholic domains typically hosting consecrated communion hosts, regarded as embodying Christ’s physical manifestation — stored within sacred tabernacles atop altars.

In fact, reaffirming adherence to spiritual obligations even during this controversial entanglement, Gigantiello informed parishioners via a Facebook post that he ensured removal of the blessed sacrament from local church premises ahead of commencing directions day by bringing to life this contentious music video project. Despite this stern stance for upholding principles amidst a maelly controversy helps depict real news behind trusted news coverage dissecting contentious boundary-blurring issues impacting modern Christian society.