Priest Who Approved Filming of Sabrina Carpenter Music Video in Church Stripped of Duties Following Investigation
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, a priest at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Brooklyn, has been stripped of his duties following a series of controversies, including his approval of Sabrina Carpenter’s music video Feather being filmed in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn announced that Gigantiello no longer has "any pastoral oversight or governance role" at the parish.
The investigation began after Carpenter’s music video, released in October 2023, sparked outrage. The video featured Carpenter in a short black dress dancing on the church’s altar and a crucifix with profanity printed on it, which many in the religious community found offensive. Gigantiello later apologised, calling his approval of the shoot a "lapse in judgement" and claiming he was misled about its content.
However, the investigation also unearthed deeper issues. Bishop Robert Brennan revealed that Gigantiello allegedly used church credit cards for personal expenses and improperly transferred nearly $2 million in church funds to accounts linked to Frank Carone, a former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Carone and Adams are both being investigated for corruption charges, but neither Gigantiello nor Carone has been formally accused of wrongdoing.
Federal investigators have also subpoenaed the church as part of a broader inquiry into financial dealings involving Adams and his associates. The diocese’s statement noted Gigantiello failed to document transactions in line with church policies. Bishop Brennan described the violations as "serious" and "appalling."
Gigantiello was removed from his administrative duties in November 2023 but continued to perform limited pastoral work. He will now require permission from Bishop Witold Mroziewski, his newly appointed replacement, to say Mass.
This controversy has drawn attention to Carpenter, who jokingly referenced the situation during a Manhattan concert, saying, "Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?" Carpenter has since focused on her music career, recently announcing a Netflix holiday special and an international tour.
For now, the Diocese of Brooklyn aims to restore trust within the parish, while Gigantiello’s financial activities remain under scrutiny by church officials and federal investigators.
