A Brooklyn priest at the centre of a brewing controversy involving pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s provocative music video has been officially removed from his duties following allegations of financial mismanagement and violations of diocesan policies.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the former head of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish in Williamsburg, was stripped of all pastoral and administrative roles on Monday, according to a statement from Bishop Robert Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
The Fallout from Carpenter’s Music Video
The controversy began last November when Carpenter’s video for her hit song “Feather” sparked outrage. Filmed partly at the parish, the video features the singer in a pink hearse, dancing in front of the church’s altar in a black dress and veil, surrounded by vibrant faux coffins. The diocese initially condemned the shoot, calling it a breach of proper filming procedures.
Gigantiello later admitted approving the shoot was a “lapse in judgment,” but claimed he was unaware of its provocative nature.
Financial Improprieties Come to Light
As public scrutiny mounted, an investigation by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP uncovered a series of serious financial missteps under Gigantiello’s leadership.
The most significant findings included:
- Unauthorized transfers of $1.9 million in parish funds to accounts tied to Frank Carone, former chief of staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
- Use of a church credit card for substantial personal expenses.
- A lack of proper documentation and diocesan approval for major transactions, violating investment policies.
Although Carone’s law firm repaid $1 million with interest, the remaining funds were requested back without the full interest stipulated in loan agreements, raising further questions. Federal investigators have since subpoenaed the parish as part of their probe into the financial dealings, though neither Gigantiello nor Carone has been formally charged.
Leadership Overhaul at the Parish
To restore order, Bishop Brennan has appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as the new parish administrator. Mroziewski will have full authority over parish operations, including liturgical matters, effectively sidelining Gigantiello.
Additionally, Brennan revealed that a deacon temporarily assigned to the parish during the investigation had been removed after recordings captured him using racist and offensive language in private conversations.
Rebuilding Trust with Parishioners
In a decisive move to address the fallout, Bishop Brennan conducted a spiritual rite to restore the sanctity of the church. He also relieved Gigantiello of his wider diocesan role as vicar of development, responsible for fundraising efforts.
“Safeguarding public trust and protecting church funds is our utmost priority,” Brennan said, stressing the diocese’s commitment to cooperating with law enforcement investigations.
Sabrina Carpenter Responds to the Controversy
The drama hasn’t gone unnoticed by Carpenter. During a recent concert at Madison Square Garden, she cheekily referenced the incident and its ripple effects, joking, “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?”
While the fallout from the “Feather” music video continues to reverberate, the broader investigation into Gigantiello’s financial practices underscores the diocese’s determination to maintain transparency and accountability.
This scandal serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between creative freedom and the responsibilities of sacred institutions to uphold their values.