Pastor Ousted After Letting Sabrina Carpenter Film At BK Church

BROOKLYN, NY — Sabrina Carpenter may be light as a feather, but her music video landed a Brooklyn pastor in hot water this month after a faux funeral "appalled" a Brooklyn bishop.

Long-term pastor Jamie J. Gigantiello — who OKed the video's filming at Williamsburg's Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church — was removed from a leadership position he's held with the Brooklyn Diocese for 15 years, according to statements from the Diocese of Brooklyn and Gigantiello.

Freenjoy, which produced the music video, did not respond to Patch's request for comment. The rising star had not yet spoken publicly about the controversy, first reported in early November.

Gigantiello was also removed from his administrative duties at the church on Havemeyer and North Fifth Street during an internal review, but he would remain as a priest, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The "Feather" video opens on Carpenter outside the Williamsburg church in a black tulle dress, dressed for a funeral staged inside for the men who died throughout the video.

For about 30 seconds, Carpenter dances around fake pastel pink, blue and purple caskets set up in the church — one reading "RIP B----" — and an alter dressed in bright colors, candles and dolls.

"I feel so much lighter like a feather with you out my life," the chorus plays.

Sanctity was returned to the church after a special Mass of Reparation from Bishop Robert J. Brannan, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn. And the $5,000 paid to the church for filming would be donated to Bridge to Life, said Gigantiello.

To the Bishop of Brooklyn, the video was completely inappropriate and amounted to the "desecration" of the church.

"Bishop Brennan is appalled at what was filmed at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn," the Diocese of Brooklyn said in a statement.

Gigantiello said the approval was nothing more than an effort to "strengthen the bonds between the young creative artists who make up a large part of this community and the parish."

The 29-year priest said his initial searches of the artists involved had not revealed anything questionable — but the diocese said Gigantiello could have known the behavior would be "unsuitable."

"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," said Gigantiello.