A Catholic priest in the United States has been stripped of his administrative duties after allowing a pop singer with more than 31 million Instagram followers to film a video in his church.
In the video, 24 year old Sabrina Carpenter who is a former Disney child star, dances through Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish, a Catholic church in Brooklyn, dressed in a short black dress and veil. The video featured a funeral scene and was published on Halloween to mark the release of the singer’s new song.
Monsignor Jamie J Gigantiello is said to have given permission for the filming, but the Diocese of Brooklyn said that he had not followed “diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script.”
In a statement to the Catholic News Agency, the diocese said it was “appalled at what was filmed.”
The video, which caused outcry among many Catholics, has been viewed almost ten million times.
As a result, a Mass of Reparation was held by the diocese which it says restored “the sanctity of this church and repaired the harm.”
Msgr Gigantiello said the final edit had not represented what he had been told it would, adding: “I am genuinely sorry and I deeply regret the incident that took place and any distress that my actions may have caused.”