Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan has publicly condemned the use of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church for the filming of a controversial music video by pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. In a statement released on Thursday, Bishop Brennan expressed his deep disapproval of the video titled “Feather” and criticized the local parish for failing to prevent its filming, citing a breach of diocesan policy.
The music video, “Feather,” generated significant controversy due to its content, which was deemed inappropriate for a church setting. In the video, Sabrina Carpenter is seen wearing a scantily-clad black dress, while a group of men engage in violent behavior, ultimately leading to their deaths. The video takes the shocking step of depicting funerals in the church, complete with candy-colored coffins bearing an inscription that reads “RIP B*tch.”
According to Bishop Brennan, the parish’s failure to follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on church property was a significant issue. These policies typically require a review of the scenes and script to ensure they are in line with the values and sanctity of the church environment. Initially, the parish claimed that the production company had not accurately represented the video’s content. However, an investigation into the matter revealed that the documents provided to the parish, while incomplete, clearly indicated inappropriate behavior unsuitable for a church sanctuary.
As a response to the controversy, Bishop Brennan took action by temporarily replacing the parish’s vicar, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, with Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski, who assumed all administrative responsibilities for the time being. John Notaro, the executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Brooklyn and Queens and Futures in Education, has taken over Gigantiello’s administrative responsibilities for those respective organizations. Despite the administrative changes, Gigantiello will continue to serve as a pastor within the church.
To restore the sanctity of the church and address the harm caused by the video’s filming, Bishop Brennan and Monsignor Joseph Grimaldi led a Mass of Reparation. During the ceremony, the bishop blessed the altar with holy water, symbolizing the effort to cleanse the church from the perceived transgression.
The “Feather” music video, which was released on Tuesday, has garnered substantial attention, accumulating more than 3 million views. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, established in 1863, has a unique historical and cultural significance, primarily serving as a spiritual home for Lithuanian Americans and offering a weekly Sunday Mass conducted entirely in Lithuanian.
Sabrina Carpenter is facing backlash for her “lack of respect” toward Christianity after unveiling her new music video.https://t.co/nm7r3bJkLn
— Evie Magazine (@Evie_Magazine) November 1, 2023
