BROOKLYN BISHOP CELEBRATES MASS OF REPARATION IN CHURCH AFTER MUSIC VIDEO 'DESECRATION'

By John Lavenburg
11/06/2023

         BROOKLYN, N.Y. (OSV News) — Bishop Robert J. Brennan of Brooklyn celebrated a Mass of Reparation Nov. 4 in a Brooklyn Catholic Church used in a violent and sexually provocative music video, and he has removed its well-known pastor from his diocesan development role.

         Pop musician Sabrina Carpenter released a music video to her song "Feather" Oct. 31, which includes scenes of the singer dancing and performing inside and outside Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn, including in the sanctuary where the altar is located.

         Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, the parish's pastor, was removed as the Diocese of Brooklyn's vicar for development Nov. 3. He will remain pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish. However, Bishop Brennan has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski as the temporary administrator.

         A Nov. 4 statement from the diocese confirmed that the bishop presided over a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Reparation "after the desecration of the church during the filming of a music video."

         "Through the offering of this Mass, Bishop Brennan has restored the sanctity of this church and repaired the harm," it said.

         Earlier that week, Bishop Brennan was said to be "appalled" by what was filmed.

         "Bishop Robert Brennan strongly condemns the filming of the music video inside Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. A review of the documents presented to the parish prior to the filming, while failing to depict the entirety of the scenes, clearly portrays inappropriate behavior unsuitable for a church sanctuary," a diocesan statement read.

         "An administrative review will immediately commence and during this time, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello's status as pastor will continue with all administrative oversight delegated to Bishop Mroziewski," the statement added.

         John Notaro, executive director of the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens and Futures in Education, has taken over administrative responsibilities of both organizations from Msgr. Gigantiello, according to the diocese.

         Msgr. Gigantiello has been a priest in the diocese since 1995, beginning as the parochial vicar at St. Patrick's Parish in Bay Ridge. He has been pastor at Our Lady Mount Carmel-Annunciation since 2017, and he became the diocese's vicar for development in 2011. He is also a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department.

         Prior to joining seminary, Msgr. Gigantiello attended culinary school and worked at a high-end restaurant. He is the author of "Breaking Bread," a cookbook published by Emmaus Press in 2022.

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