Priest dismissed over controversial music video with Sabrina Carpenter

A priest was dismissed due to a music video starring Sabrina Carpenter. The cleric had given permission for the music video to be shot in the church he administrates.

The music video for the song "Feather" was released on October 31. Despite the time passed, the controversy around it still persists. Sabrina Carpenter engages in confrontations with her ex-partners in the video. There's a significant amount of violence and blood, but it was not the primary cause for the controversy. The most uproar has been caused by a scene that appeared to portray a funeral, performed inside a church.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brooklyn, New York, was where the music video was filmed. The church was overseen by Rev. Jamie J. Gigantiello who had agreed for the church to be used in Sabrina Carpenter's music video. However, he reportedly was not fully informed about the specifics of the scenes to be filmed or the attire the artist would be wearing.

Many believe that it was Sabrina Carpenter's costume, a black mini-dress and high heels, along with the provocative dancing, that led Bishop Robert J. Brennan to make the decision to re-consecrate the sanctuary and the altar, as well as hold a Mass of reparation. The bishop voiced his displeasure at the music video in the Catholic News Agency, stating, "I was appalled at what was filmed at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn. The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script."

A Mass of reparation was not deemed sufficient. Rev. Jamie J. Gigantiello was demoted and also stripped of his administrative duties. "I deeply regret the part I played in this incident and any disturbance my actions may have caused," Gigantiello stated in an interview with The New York Times.