Priest Stripped of Duties Amid Mismanagement Scandal

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Brooklyn, has been stripped of his pastoral and administrative duties following an investigation into his approval of a controversial music video by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. The video, filmed in the church and featuring provocative scenes, caused backlash among church officials and parishioners, prompting Bishop Robert Brennan to investigate Gigantiello's actions. The investigation revealed unauthorized financial transfers totaling nearly $2 million to a former aide in New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration, who is under investigation for corruption. Bishop Witold Mroziewski has been appointed as the new parish administrator, assuming full authority over the church. Gigantiello previously called his approval of the music video a 'lapse in judgment' and acknowledged that he was not fully aware of its content. The ongoing scrutiny has also led to the relief of a deacon involved in separate misconduct.